Jon Fitch Needs Better Representation; Update: Fitch Says Management Told Him to Sign

by Michael Rome on Nov 20, 2008 4:35 PM EST in News Comment 62 comments

I think the topic of whether the UFC's deal is morally deficient has been discussed to death. Personally, I feel it is unnecessarily heavy handed. However, the real issue for Fitch and other AKA fighters is their representation. It's mind-boggling to me that anyone would advise a fighter not to sign away video game rights when it could cost them their entire MMA career.

To be honest, losing one fight in the UFC will cost Fitch more than he will ever make in a video game. He made over $250,000 for his fight against GSP when you include sponsors, and $169,000 from the UFC alone. How much is he going to make off video game rights? Not to mention the contract is highly questionable and likely unenforceable anyway.

If the merchandise rights were exclusive, then I'd definitely advise any client against signing that deal. But that is not the case. The exclusivity deal is for the THQ game.

In the end, Dana White called the agency's bluff, which is why they're back talking today. I believe that within a few weeks Fitch will be back in the UFC and probably in the video game. This whole ordeal raises a number of issues about the future of MMA in a UFC-only world, but if his representatives were really looking out for his best interests, they would have him sign the deal and move on. They probably never thought Dana would cut Fitch, and now that it happened they are back to figuring out a way to salvage the situation. I have no idea why they thought they could play hardball given their negotiating position, but they did, and they got called on it.

Update: Jon Fitch says he made the decision not to sign against the wishes of his management:

But Fitch’s most intriguing revelation came when he said that his management actually advised him to sign away his likeness and that it was his decision and his decision alone not to ink the deal.

“He tries to blame this and put this off on management but my management was telling me to sign this video game deal. But out of principle, I didn’t. It’s on me, not on my management.”

This basically renders my whole post above moot, but I'll keep it here just so people can bash me for it in the future.

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“How much is he going to make off video game rights?”

Nothing. None of the fighters get a cent.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 20, 2008 4:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I probably should have clarified, how much is he going to make off the video game rights he just kept for himself in the future? A couple EA games that won’t do well isn’t going to make up for having no UFC career.

by Michael Rome on Nov 20, 2008 4:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ah, ok.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 20, 2008 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Which was better

The old shitty UFC game or the epic PRIDE FC game? EA will make a better game than shitty THQ. And I’m willing to bet Fitch will be on it if he doesn’t end up resigning.

by skwirrl on Nov 20, 2008 5:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I never played the PRIDE game but my buddies and I still to this day will say “OR-TEEASE!” whenever anyone mentions Tito.

by Day Man on Nov 20, 2008 5:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Word

THQ ain’t at the top of the food chain and someone else could make their own MMA-esque fighting game with a better controller engine and more dynamic/marketable characters (aesthetically-speaking) and smoke THQ.

I personally turned a number of friends onto PRIDE with that PS2 game, whereas the last UFC game got popped a friend’s system once.

Once.

by asa on Nov 21, 2008 7:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think he was referring to his video game rights outside of the UFC after he was cut.

by iiowyn on Nov 20, 2008 4:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He pretty much has no choice but to sign. He can go make next to nothing (when factoring in sponsors) somewhere else until that org he is in dies and he has to start over. Without the exposure the UFC provides there won’t be anything for him after his fighting career is over either.

As sad as it is, he needs the UFC, the UFC doesn’t need him.

by SplitBreast on Nov 20, 2008 4:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I have a feeling the stars do get a cut…

by cyph on Nov 20, 2008 4:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m fairly sure the top guys signed special deals with video game cuts.

by Michael Rome on Nov 20, 2008 4:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, they might. I bet Couture does.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 20, 2008 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I feel like that’s entirely possible, too. Something similar to how certain fighters have a percentage of the PPV revenue worked into their deal probably exists on the merchandising, or more specifically, the video game portion of their deals as well.

But that’s purely speculative and may not in any way be true.

So the video game deal is presumably separate from the rest of the merchadising deal because video games were not explicitly included as part of what is considered merchadise and because THQ wanted full exclusivity. Is that correct? It seems like an unecessary distinction on a lot of levels, or at least one that does not require exclusivity in perpetuity.

But what do I know?

by Brett Jones on Nov 20, 2008 4:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That makes sense. People will buy the game to play as Randy Couture. The only people buying it in hopes of playing as Jon Fitch are his friends and family.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Nov 20, 2008 5:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

In response to the fighters not being paid to be in the video game. Since the UFC is pretty much the NFL or NBA of MMA, I was wondering if all the NFL players featured in Madden or in any of the NBA Live games see a cent. I’m assuming no they don’t b/c it would be impossible to divide all the money to every single one of the players in the NFL or NBA. So why should this be any different for UFC fighters? Why should UFC fighters see money from the game when other players of professional leagues don’t see get any money themselves from the game?

by filipinomix2oo0 on Nov 20, 2008 5:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not totally positive, but I think they do get a cut. I know baseball players do.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 20, 2008 5:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Games based on other sports, the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, etc. have agreements with the player associations of the respective leagues. As such, players who are a part of their union and included in the game receive royalties on the sales of each game they appear in.

The key here is that the players are a part of the union, and thus have greater bargaining power when they are at the proverbial table with league management, who would broker a video game deal.

by Brett Jones on Nov 20, 2008 5:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I stand corrected.

by filipinomix2oo0 on Nov 20, 2008 5:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

absolutely correct Brett

Nothing further

by skwirrl on Nov 20, 2008 5:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But, but, but

Fitch is a hero!

by dualdiagnosis on Nov 20, 2008 4:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The stupid agent called Dana’s bluff.

and then Dana had a freaking Ace high royal flush

by dbcb on Nov 20, 2008 4:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sam Caplan reports...

that it’s Fitch’s idea not to sign and his agents told him to sign!?!

Fitch, Fitch, Fitch… you should have zip it while you still can… why play the martyr?

by cyph on Nov 20, 2008 4:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Now that is different.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 20, 2008 4:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

How’s that possible in light of Dana’s comments about how awful AKA, Bob Cook, and the other dude whose name escapse me are?

by Brett Jones on Nov 20, 2008 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Because Dana probably isn’t dealing with Fitch directly and his agent/manager certainly isn’t going to tell Dana, “We’ve been trying to reason with him, but he won’t listen!” It’s not a very effective negotiating tactic.

by Mike Fagan on Nov 20, 2008 4:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That makes sense. So long, Fitch. You dug your own grave, but you’re a man of principle.

by cyph on Nov 20, 2008 4:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That doesn’t explain why, then, Swick broke ranks against the judgement of his management (i.e. Fitch’s management, their shared management) and went with the UFC on this agreement.

Something stinks about this.

by Brett Jones on Nov 20, 2008 4:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He has a better deal with some money in it for video game cut I think.

by Michael Rome on Nov 20, 2008 4:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So it seems, based on what Luke posted after or while I was creating this post.

by Brett Jones on Nov 20, 2008 4:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I honestly don't see how anyone can fault Fitch for his stance on this issue.

by lbk on Nov 20, 2008 4:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I’m a huge Fitch fan.

But I think you could “fault” him for his stance on this because it makes so little sense from a business/future perspective. In the name of “principle” attached to some video game rights, he’s potentially flushed his entire career right down the toilet. It’s extremely unlikely that he’ll be able to find any other venue in which he will be relevant and financially successful. This one decision, while leaving him with some huge principle that he won’t be forced to sign away his video game image rights forever means he is also likely unemployed and will never make the kind of money he otherwise would have.

The question of whether the UFC is doing the right thing or whether the contract is defensible aside, from a purely business and future potential perspective, if Fitch ignored management’s advice to do this and the result is he is gone from the UFC forever, you can certainly fault him for making a really bad business decision.

by Kierkegaard on Nov 20, 2008 4:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think it's pretty clear there is more to this story. Give the guy a little credit here.

by lbk on Nov 20, 2008 5:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

credit for what?

Sepuku?

by dualdiagnosis on Nov 20, 2008 5:11 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

how about taking a stand on an issue more fighters should be cognicant about?

you think this is about a video game?

by lbk on Nov 20, 2008 5:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He will make more

IN 2 Affliction fights than in his entire UFC career to date put together. You all seem to think the UFC pays better than other organizations. Is that why AA got 500K for 1 fight a couple months ago? Why Big Tim made 800K to fight Fedor? Don’t be stupid tools. Dana teabags most of nuthuggers daily

by skwirrl on Nov 20, 2008 6:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

How when he will fight 0 times a year?

http://mma4real.net/

by Tha Realness on Nov 20, 2008 6:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, about that 800k a year for Big Tim… anyone see him on the next Affliction card?

by cyph on Nov 20, 2008 6:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not sure what you mean by that. My point is simply that, from a business perspective and from the perspective of his future earnings as an mma fighter it’s at least plausible (and quite possibly almost a certainty) that he will never make nearly as much money outside the UFC as he can make in the UFC.

As far as we know right now, he was let go from the UFC because he refused to sign this stupid video game rights agreement. Now he’s even coming out and saying that his management (that everyone has characterized as evil and stupid) actually advised him to go ahead and sign it, but he refused “on principle.”

Where am I failing to give him enough credit? Like I said, I’m a big Fitch fan. I want to see him fight, and I want to see him fight in the UFC.

by Kierkegaard on Nov 20, 2008 5:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

THis should probably be inserted into the main article:

"He tries to blame this and put this off on management but my management was telling me to sign this video game deal. But out of principle, I didn’t. It’s on me, not on my management."

From this article: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/11/20/jon-fitch-claims-dana-white-is-not-telling-the-whole-story-about-mike-swick-accuses-the-ufc-of-strong-arm-tactics-during-negotiations/

by Mike Fagan on Nov 20, 2008 4:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I believe that is a “story”

by mmalogic on Nov 20, 2008 5:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You know like the ones read to us when we were babies… not only has his management fucked him but somehow convinced him to take this role trying to save their own asses.

by mmalogic on Nov 20, 2008 5:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Why ?

Why not I can see Fitch doing this is the grass was somehwat greener on the other side of the fence but its not.

by Shocbomb on Nov 20, 2008 4:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

“To be honest, losing one fight in the UFC will cost Fitch more than he will ever make in a video game. He made over $250,000 for his fight against GSP when you include sponsors, and $169,000 from the UFC alone. How much is he going to make off video game rights? Not to mention the contract is highly questionable and likely unenforceable anyway.”

You’re forgetting the utility of being happy where you’re employed. If Fitch absolutely despises the way the UFC treats him, it might be worth a paycut to go fight elsewhere.

by Mike Fagan on Nov 20, 2008 4:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Anybody who tells you money doesn’t buy happiness doesn’t have any.

And while I really like that movie (and paraphrased the quote for etiquette’s sake), I will say more to the point that it’s easy for Fitch to feel comfortable with the position against the UFC coming off of a large payday. When he finds himself in need of cash, I wonder if his position will remain steadfast.

Which isn’t to suggest that Fitch is not a principled man, but things can certainly change.

by Brett Jones on Nov 20, 2008 4:51 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

When you have no money, money absolutely buys happiness. Cue Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

by cyph on Nov 20, 2008 4:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And if the UFC was paying him $2m/fight, I’m sure he would let other things slide.

The Million Dollar Man was right when he said “Everyone has a price.” Obviously, $170k (or 250k with bonuses) isn’t enough for Jon Fitch in this instance. That’s his prerogative.

by Mike Fagan on Nov 20, 2008 5:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

In difficult times I often look to 80s professional wrestling quotes to get me through the day.

by Day Man on Nov 20, 2008 5:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

welp fitch… have fun fighting for 10g for the rest of your career because of “principle”…

…. ITS A FUCKIGN VIDEO GAME U IDIOT

by dbcb on Nov 20, 2008 4:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

To be blunt, this whole thing is kind of silly. He agrees to all sorts of bad UFC provisions but makes a stand over this? What else was he going to be, a character in Mario Kart?

by Michael Rome on Nov 20, 2008 4:57 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

What else was he going to be, a character in Mario Kart?

I’d say that’s quite a bit better than being a doormat.

by George Lucas on Nov 20, 2008 5:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

by mmalogic on Nov 20, 2008 5:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I would pay to be in mario kart. I love that game.

by szucconi on Nov 20, 2008 5:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A little off topic but in the mario kart for Wii, your “mii” (cartoon like avatar of yourself) is an unlockable character. Just a little FYI in case you want to live the dream.

by Day Man on Nov 20, 2008 6:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If he ends up as a character in Mario Kart I’ll take back every negative thought I’ve had about him regarding this situation.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Nov 20, 2008 5:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Did Cain and Kos take the same principled stand of rejecting their management’s advice? I’m more confused by the new quote than the old news.

by subo on Nov 20, 2008 5:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I would speculate that in light of Fitch falling on his own sword and ZUFFA now once again talking to AKA management that special dispensation for Koscheck and Velasquez is being brokered.

by Brett Jones on Nov 20, 2008 5:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Subo, confused? Never.

Funny how this quote doesn’t change my stand.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 20, 2008 5:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Funny how nothing does.

Oh wait, no it isn’t.

by subo on Nov 20, 2008 5:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It doesn’t if I already know what is going on.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 20, 2008 6:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

you were born knowing what’s going on.

by dualdiagnosis on Nov 20, 2008 7:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I knew you were going to say that.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 20, 2008 8:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL! I joke around with subo because I can.
:)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 20, 2008 8:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fitch and his management need to get their stories straight. Somebody is lying…why didn’t he just come out and say HE didn’t want to sign it from the get go?

http://mma4real.net/

by Tha Realness on Nov 20, 2008 5:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs