The UFC's New Insurance Policy, Conference Call Live Updates [Updated]
by Mike Fagan on May 9, 2011 4:52 PM EDT
in UFC News
Email
Print
The UFC announced a special conference call for today at 3:30 p.m. ET to discuss Zuffa's new insurance policy for fighters. UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta is scheduled on the call. Check back for a recap, or follow Mike Fagan on Twitter for instant updates.
The new policy will cover injuries sustained out of competition. Kevin Iole of Yahoo! reports:
Zuffa LLC, the company that owns both UFC and Strikeforce, is taking steps to erase that problem. Lorenzo Fertitta, the UFC's chairman and chief executive officer, said the company plans to offer accident insurance that will cover approximately 350 athletes in the event of out-of-competition injury, effective June 1.
...
Zuffa will pay 100 percent of the premiums, Fertitta said, and will have a full-time employee who will coordinate the claims process.
...
"This will cover accidents that occur while a fighter is under contract with us," Zuffa general counsel Lawrence Epstein said. "Those accidents could occur in training or it could also be something like an automobile accident. A fighter could be driving to the grocery store and gets involved in an automobile accident and has an injury. This policy would cover him."It's not a policy you would typically see in an employer-employee relationship. It's more akin to an auto insurance scenario, where any acute injury is going to be covered. Training injuries, a guy falls down the stairs, an automobile accident, those would be covered, but it wouldn't be something like the flu or some disease or illness. It would only cover accident-related injuries."
Along with their request for monitors cageside for judges, it's good to see Zuffa taking unilateral steps to improve the sport.
[Update] Just finished the call. Here are the highlights:
- Every fighter under contract with Zuffa is covered by the new policy. Covers fighters worldwide. A fighter does not need a scheduled fight to receive coverage.
- The coverage includes $50,000 per fighter per year with premiums being paid for by Zuffa. No out-of-pocket expenses for fighters.
- Lorenzo Fertitta refused to give a concrete number, but claimed that this is a "substantial" expense to the company.
- Dana White and Fertitta both stated that this was something they've been working on since purchasing the company.
- They thought they would announce the deal at Chuck's retirement, but it didn't work out. Started to look like a reality two or three months ago.
- The policy covers all in-training and accidental injuries, but will not cover common cold, etc.
- Zuffa general counsel Lawrence Epstein noted that they worked to get accidental coverage to avoid disputes between training and non-training injuries.
- Feritta mentioned that they received a round of applause from fighters at the Strikeforce summit.
157 comments
|
4 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Depending on the specifics, this is great news for fighters, and for the progression of the sport.
Still a Beer Monster.
http://www.instrength.com
by Tim Burke on May 9, 2011 1:30 PM EDT reply actions 8 recs
It's fantastic.
Just what I want to see. Maybe Zuffa can avoid the headache of unions by just treating it’s employees well… that would be nice.
Xtreme Couture- The best never rest! The girl in my av is Kari Sweets (you're welcome).
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on May 9, 2011 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
This is another bullet to kill the push for a fighters union
There were the Cain and Jon Jones incidents where news of their injuries came out WAY after their fights that required care so the UFC had to say it occurred during the event so that they could cover them. I think this is good for the UFC to cover their guys year round but there is going to be a trade-off that is yet to be seen.
Things will get worked into fighters contracts and Zuffa will gain more leverage. I believe those injuries plus the growing union talks brought this initiative to life. Just my opinion.
I am vorn the unspeakable the skulls of those who defy me bleach in the suns of hundreds of worlds...... and you are
What if Zuffa gives you cancer? The insurance won’t cover that.
by who me on May 9, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
Nice.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Editor, HeadKickLegend.com
Contributor for CagesideSeats.com and Bloody Elbow Radio
Still Subo at Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on May 9, 2011 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I think this is a great move on their part and I’m very supportive of it, but believe me – I could spin it.
The spin is easy:
Will CTE be considered an illness? What about after a fighter retires or leaves the company?
Yea Zuffa cuts and resigns fighters all the time
If they cut you are they obligated to give you insurance, then when they need you resign you and avoid premiums.
I am vorn the unspeakable the skulls of those who defy me bleach in the suns of hundreds of worlds...... and you are
Socialized health care?
Fighters should have the right to choose their policy!
by truck on May 9, 2011 8:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
lulz!
Anderson Silva, Edson Barboza, Jose Aldo, Charles Oliveira, Thiago Alves = Muay Thai wrecking machines!
by SentientAndroid on May 10, 2011 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Whoa you’re back. I thought for sure that you busted up your transmission and were in a junk yard in the sky.
If you can't wow them with brilliance, then baffle them with bullshit.
by DayGeaux on May 10, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
That was clever.
Fitch is awesome, I don't care what you think...
Bones Jones, future greatest MMAist ever.
not all, just 350
as I said below, I think the roster is considerably larger than that.
http://fightdrinker.blogspot.com
by some schmuck in texas on May 9, 2011 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Do you honestly think they would single out a few fighters? Sounds kinda harsh.
Maybe fighters from out of country are exempt from this. Considering the rest of the western world has some sort of Uni healthcare
Sheeeeeeeee-it
we've learned more now, but...
no, that’s not what I meant. I was concerned about guys who are signed on a ‘get a fight, stay if you win or look good losing’ basis might not be covered. The jobbers, the low-paid temps, or their equivalent.
http://fightdrinker.blogspot.com
by some schmuck in texas on May 9, 2011 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice.
But how much are fighters covered IN the cage? I remember a story about Joe Stevenson having to go to Mexico for his injury(?) I beleive.
I guess this is the first step to that
They made a video game about Yakuzas. It’s called Yakuza. And it’s about Yakuza
gocyborg.com
I thought they already did cover in cage accidents...
At least for some fighters at least… not sure what the coverage of fighters is.
The promoter is generally required to provide insurance for all fighters against in-cage injuries.
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
by The American Ronin on May 10, 2011 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Joe Daddy’s injury wasn’t from a fight though, it was from training about a month before his fight with Gomi that got canceled.
Getting bent out of shape over a fight promoter lying is like getting upset that a hooker won't kiss you. It betrays a deep lack of understanding of the nature of the profession.
In cage injury has always been covered, its something athletic commissions require. It’s training insurance that’s been the problem and this will cover that.
It's also why Dana often insisted injuries happened during a fight
when many have had reason to speculate they happened in training either before or after a fight. He would then be able to cover surgeries. Now, he won’t have to fib to get an injury covered.
"Complacency is your demise." - Kerry King
This is great i hope this will cover Shane Del Rosarios car accident
by Papercut Elbow on May 9, 2011 1:40 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
brings up some good questions
1 He’s signed to strikeforce, not the UFC. Is this a policy about the UFC or Zuffa professional atheletes generally.
2 The article states 350 people are covered. My understanding is that’s a lot fewer fighters than Zuffa has under contract. Who’s in, who’s out?
3 – No, it won’t cover Shane. Takes effect June 1
http://fightdrinker.blogspot.com
by some schmuck in texas on May 9, 2011 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
350
would probably mean they are covering new contracts, i’m going to guess when fighters resign a new contract they will get the same perks
That
and fighters like Bisping, Hardy, St-Pierre, Hominick, PEarson, Kongo etc have access to universal health care and no need to be covered by this.
http://unintelligentdefense.blogspot.com
by MattParker117 on May 9, 2011 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
cont
4 who decides what treatment level is required? Fighters or employer?
http://fightdrinker.blogspot.com
by some schmuck in texas on May 9, 2011 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
and...
5 it doesn’t seem to resemble a traditional health insurance policy in a lot of ways. Who’s on the hook for Bryan Baker’s leukemia treatments (let’s pretend for the sake of the example that it was diagnosed june 2 so it’s not a preexisting condition, and he’s covered by the policy as a Strikeforce guy.)
http://fightdrinker.blogspot.com
by some schmuck in texas on May 9, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
It isn't traditional health insurance
It’s not a policy you would typically see in an employer-employee relationship. It’s more akin to an auto insurance scenario, where any acute injury is going to be covered. Training injuries, a guy falls down the stairs, an automobile accident, those would be covered, but it wouldn’t be something like the flu or some disease or illness.
So sounds like leukemia treatments are right out.
Injury only isn’t going to cover an illness like cancer. The question I can imagine eventually coming up is whether CTE falls to injury or illness?
I'd be extremely shocked
if stuff like CTE isn’t specifically dealt w/ in the policy. If competent lawyers are involved, then it (and other stuff like it) will be specifically dealt with.
And probably they won’t cover it, but what do I know.
It was announced today at the Strikeforce part of the Fighter Summit, so it almost definitely covers them. The SF fighters (including the ladies) are being given the presentation today. UFC fighters get the presentation tomorrow.
Still a Beer Monster.
http://www.instrength.com
good to know
and “including the ladies” is a most interesting, and in my opinion, welcome development. I’d like very much for Zuffa to stay in the business of promoting those atheletes.
http://fightdrinker.blogspot.com
by some schmuck in texas on May 9, 2011 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
2 The article states 350 people are covered. My understanding is that’s a lot fewer fighters than Zuffa has under contract. Who’s in, who’s out?
The UFC is running around 250 to 260 fighters under contract and Strikeforce is running around 100. That 350 number is probably rounded off from what the actual total is but 350 should be pretty close.
This is great news! I wonder who/what made them finally make this decision.
Are our bones not dust?
Is our Blood not Poison?
On my knees in the black light
Praying for Salvation, bitter Redemption
So throw your dice and cast your shadow
You may look away
But your children will not...
I agree
and I hope that the public outcry on this site and others has helped nudge the zoofbrass toward this decision.
http://fightdrinker.blogspot.com
by some schmuck in texas on May 9, 2011 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
doubt a blog site had anything to do with it. This is something that was coming, there was no way around it. I have no links, but i have read a number of pieces in which fighters keep day jobs in order to have proper health insurance in case of training injuries. good move by Zuffa to not only cover fighters, but allow them to train full time without fear of being hurt and unable to make money and also pay the medical bills.
I’d rather just climb this fridge
Heading off potential unionizing at the pass...
Guys like Randy speaking up about it recently…
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
by The American Ronin on May 10, 2011 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Junkie
The UFC’s new policy adds 24-hour worldwide medical-life insurance and dental coverage, as well as emergency medical evacuation
http://unintelligentdefense.blogspot.com
There has to be some exceptions...
what if an athlete broke his arm snowboarding, broke a leg skydiving, or broke a nose playing pickup basketball? These should not be covered.
I’d hobble my ass to the gym and I’d fall down on the mat.
If you can't wow them with brilliance, then baffle them with bullshit.
by DayGeaux on May 9, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 21 recs
Jerome Bettis did it.
"There wasn't a man voting for it that didn't think that under a setup of this kind he'd muscle in on the profits of the men abler than himself...But while he was thinking that he'd get unearned benefits from the men above he forgot about the men below who'd get unearned benefits too. He forgot about all his inferiors that would rush to drain him just as he hoped to drain his superiors...That was our real motive when we voted. That was the truth of it. But we didn't like to think it. So the less we liked it the louder we yelled about our love for the common good."
LMFAO!
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on May 9, 2011 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
That will be interesting. I don’t think they can ban those activities Luke the other sports because of the independent contractor issue.
by Phildo on May 9, 2011 1:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
violating an employment contract (jeff kent and Jay williams motorcycle accidents come to mind) is different than what is covered by an insurance policy. I don’t think medical insurance is quite as choosy about how one came to be injured.
I’ll be interested to see how this plays out with non-US based fighters.
Getting bent out of shape over a fight promoter lying is like getting upset that a hooker won't kiss you. It betrays a deep lack of understanding of the nature of the profession.
My guess is, it’ll be like Basketball or Football, a clause in the contract that says if you hurt yourself doing something stupid, we can terminate your employment (and your health coverage along with it).
Unless the fighter is actually fired, though, I’m pretty sure they’d still be covered.
Yes, but those clauses lead to things like Jeff Kent claiming he broke his wrist "washing his truck".
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
The real question...
is what it does for Matt Hamil’s soft skull.
by skeebop on May 9, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Monopsony
Another clear sign that the UFC is a monopsony, and that no other organization out there can offer this kind of support to its fighters. Boooo UFC!!!
According to many, the UFC is at fault for having too high salaries and don’t give a chance to 3rd tier orgs to make a living. So yeah, the UFC shouldn’t be treating their fighters this well.
For the record, I was being sarcastic… i was simply trying to figure out what all the UFC haters would come up with to find some negativity out of this great thing the UFC is doing here.
It's nice to see that Zuffa does seem to be thinking long-term
and they understand Spider-Man’s philosophy: “with great power comes great responsibility.” I suspect that as a company, Zuffa is as cynical as the next for-profit interest, but clearly they understand that if they don’t do these things (provide insurance, get better judging, improve the delivery interface on-line) then who will? Bellator?
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."
Mohandas Gandhi
"The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights."
Muhammad Ali
"If MMA is like dog fighting, those are some pretty fucking smart dogs."
"I don’t want to lick any butt."
GSP
I wonder what the ramifications are for pulling out of fights
Will fighters have provide proof of their injuries?
Doctor’s report most likely
http://unintelligentdefense.blogspot.com
by MattParker117 on May 9, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Seriously, though, stop busting unions
http://fightdrinker.blogspot.com
by some schmuck in texas on May 9, 2011 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Zuffa doesn’t even have to lift a finger in order to prevent a fighter’s union… the only fighters that really need union protections are the fighters that have no negotiating leverage. And the fighters that already have negotiating power have no incentive to lend that power to anyone else.
It’s hard to picture Lesner and GSP entering into a union in which the two of them could be outvoted by a trio of Waylon Lowe, Sam Stout, and Joey Beltran.
Getting bent out of shape over a fight promoter lying is like getting upset that a hooker won't kiss you. It betrays a deep lack of understanding of the nature of the profession.
Oh well sure but this isn’t a casino industry blog :D We can only fight one evil at a time on the internet.
If you want to really spin it about fighting evil you could always point out that the owners of the UFC sent troops in to quash oppressed people who were protesting peacefully for democracy.
Oh well that’s only 10% UFC evil. Good grief you can’t keep changing the evil goal line here, besides their need for basic human rights is making my gasoline cost more.
Found out today there is some tea party goofball running for governor of Kentucky who wants to get rid of the state workers union. I was shocked as I didn’t even know we had a union. I just can’t keep up with the fight against evil.
by who me on May 9, 2011 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
To the best of my knowledge, Station employees have never attempted to form a union. Their beef with the culinary workers union was the result of them buying out a casino that was union and replacing the culinary staff after the buyout.
I really think Subo and logic have a lot to learn from you…
by Jonathan Snowden on May 9, 2011 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Steve likes me
Perhaps you have something to learn from him…
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Editor, HeadKickLegend.com
Contributor for CagesideSeats.com and Bloody Elbow Radio
Still Subo at Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on May 9, 2011 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
I’m guessing he’s never had to work with or rely on you.
by Jonathan Snowden on May 9, 2011 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
It’s funny – problems with coworkers is not a recurring issue for me. You?
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Editor, HeadKickLegend.com
Contributor for CagesideSeats.com and Bloody Elbow Radio
Still Subo at Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on May 9, 2011 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Not at all. And unlike you I’ve been gainfully employed for my whole adult life! Right now in three jobs!
by Jonathan Snowden on May 9, 2011 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
On behalf of the tens of millions of Americans that lost their jobs due to the 2008 financial crisis, let me commend you for having a heartier work ethic than all of us.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Editor, HeadKickLegend.com
Contributor for CagesideSeats.com and Bloody Elbow Radio
Still Subo at Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on May 9, 2011 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 10 recs
Let me check with the peanut gallery
Okay, we’ve come to a consensus: That’s a burn
"Who are you and how the hell did you get in here?"
"I'm a locksmith... and i'm a locksmith."
by Goonisis on May 9, 2011 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Derek didn’t “lose his job.” He’s destined to be un and underemployed his whole life because he’s a lazy asshole. Ask anyone he’s ever worked with in the MMA community.
by Jonathan Snowden on May 9, 2011 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, ask the managing editor of Head Kick Legend, for example.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Editor, HeadKickLegend.com
Contributor for CagesideSeats.com and Bloody Elbow Radio
Still Subo at Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on May 9, 2011 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Full Disclosure
I had issues with Derek in the past. We’ve had a discussion and he’s been meeting deadlines since the discussion.
If you want to know what I think go to HeadKickLegend.com
Managing Editor of HeadKickLegend.com
Follow me on twitter @HeadKickLegend
Well, other than being two hours late today. Fucking finals.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Editor, HeadKickLegend.com
Contributor for CagesideSeats.com and Bloody Elbow Radio
Still Subo at Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on May 9, 2011 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Also, you don’t receive unemployment for being fired due to lazy assholeness, especially in a right-to-work state like Colorado. I was laid off.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Editor, HeadKickLegend.com
Contributor for CagesideSeats.com and Bloody Elbow Radio
Still Subo at Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on May 9, 2011 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Everything I’ve ever given away – here, on BE Radio or anywhere else – has been for free.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Editor, HeadKickLegend.com
Contributor for CagesideSeats.com and Bloody Elbow Radio
Still Subo at Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on May 9, 2011 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions
My advice to you Derek, if you’re going to whore yourself out stop being a slut. It’s a lesson that took me years to learn.
It's tough with blogging
“Hey assholes, either start paying me or I’ll stop using this massive megaphone!” is not the best negotiating position.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Editor, HeadKickLegend.com
Contributor for CagesideSeats.com and Bloody Elbow Radio
Still Subo at Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on May 9, 2011 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m going to give you some actual advice which I have learned in my career and which I think translates to the blogging sphere: there is no money in blogging but there is exposure. If I was going to get into this as a career I would look to Snowden as my example – not kidding – using the blogs as a means to build up a following for my particular brand of commentary. Wouldn’t make a dime on that – although I guess Jonathan now gets paid – but you would get your name out there. Where I’d make money is writing books and making documentaries, which of course would increase my profile as a blogger.
The blogging would be for the exposure, the money is going to have come from somewhere else.
by John Nash on May 9, 2011 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’ve been gainfully employed for my whole adult life! Right now in three jobs!
That’s just being job greedy, Jon.
Why I never joined a frat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-KNVrZaN8M
"Don’t quote old fucks to me" – Brent Brookhouse
"A samurai would bite your cock off if you tried that shit on the battlefield." - Kid Nate
by Chris Barton on May 9, 2011 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
You got tree jobs boi?
Is Snowden from Jamaica?
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
The NLRB alleges that, from February 19 through August 31, the company has illegally used threats, intimidation, interrogation, surveillance, bribery, discouragement, discrimination, discipline and physical assault against employees engaged in lawfully protected union activities.
From WorkerStation.org
staph is tricky
They could argue that it is the fighters responsibility to ensure their training environment is kept clean.
Most likely the insurance company will definitely say illness.
I wonder how it'll cover career-threatening injuries
Say a fighter is training for a fight and completely tears up his knee and is out for a year+. His medical expenses will be covered, but what about lost wages? Can he recover any of his lost show money or is that a separate policy?
by Trust Doesn't Rust on May 9, 2011 2:09 PM EDT reply actions
In live entertainment it's cancellation insurance
But that’s more to cover the promoter for booking the venue, paying for security and all that. Loss of earnings wouldn’t be the fault of the promoter if it happened outside of the promotion which is why its important for fighters to ask for as much money as they can per fight for this reason (something to fall back on and if necessary retire on).
It's the sort of step that will help cool down the fire of union talk
That’s not necessarily a bad thing either, safety is the more important role of a union then compensation imo.
Good move
I’m sure it’s not perfect, but getting thefighter’s some insurance is a good thing, definitely better than what they have now.
certified warlord
Glad the UFC decided to follow through on the no brainer.
Seriously. The only thing surprising about this is why it took so long.
Who wants to bet this has been a sticking point in getting NY state sanctioning?
Good on ZUFFA making moves towards legitimizing the sport as a serious sports business. This will get them in good with the fighters, the fans, and the legal apparatus of the nation.
Lorenzo said it has zero to do with that, and he suspects it won’t help with regulation efforts.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
Whoa, great news for UFC and MMA in general. I can’t wait for Dana White to comment on this. I can hear him already.. “Listen, here’s the deal: we got fighters who get injured and have families to support. They can’t just fu*king call in sick yknow? These guys need to be taken care of.”
I wish I’d have an text-to-DanaWhite converter it’d be so amazing.
That doesn't even make any sense
You get cut mostly for bad performance in octagon and believe you me, they have marked each and everyone who’s about to be cut and who’s far from it. They’d never invest in a guy who’d get cut, they’d probably just cut him before the surgery.
Someone asked this on the call, but the logistics of it wouldn’t really work. If you fight in the UFC, you’re covered leading up to the fight and for whatever happens during, regardless of whether you are cut after the event.
For your scenario to come up, someone would have to be inactive (no fight scheduled), cut out of nowhere, and then claim an injury occurred prior to termination.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
Great day for MMA,
What a big step by Zuffa, this goes a long way to helping a lot of fighters out, and also getting fighters back into the Cage quicker when they go down with an injury. No more trips to Mexico for some of these guys to get second rate work done.
This is a good question.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Editor, HeadKickLegend.com
Contributor for CagesideSeats.com and Bloody Elbow Radio
Still Subo at Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on May 9, 2011 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes. Lawrence Epstein answered. He THINKS they would be covered, but he gave an ultimate “I don’t know.”
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
by Mike Fagan on May 9, 2011 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
With more information
I am even happier and more optimistic than I was before about this development. You were just dying to find out, I’m sure.
http://fightdrinker.blogspot.com
by some schmuck in texas on May 9, 2011 4:39 PM EDT reply actions
Fucking Zuffa relentlessley screwing over the fighters now that they have a monopoly.
Keep Firing, Assholes!
Time to put some meat in your pain sandwich.
They clearly don’t want the sport to grow.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Editor, HeadKickLegend.com
Contributor for CagesideSeats.com and Bloody Elbow Radio
Still Subo at Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on May 9, 2011 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
So would going to the hospital with Staph be covered?
Its a disease, but also a training injury.
by Scribonius Curio on May 9, 2011 5:02 PM EDT reply actions
I wouldn't be living up to my namesake if I didn't applaud this move
Well done, Zuffa.
I still want to see total salaries/benefits double or triple so that they match the ~50% of other major sports. They don’t have the hefty arena lease/construction costs of other sports, either.
It’s easier to pay out 50% of several billion than 50% of a much smaller number.
Also, people need to stop throwing around the 50% number because it seems like that number will not be accurate for football and basketball in the near future (if there is football and basketball).
by Phildo on May 9, 2011 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Fixed overhead takes up a much larger percentage of Zuffa’s overall revenue than those other sports.
How so?
If anything it seems to me that their overhead would actually be lower than many major sports. Fighters are only paid when they actually compete, what specific expenses are you talking about?
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
by The American Ronin on May 10, 2011 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions
This is a good development.
Especially for the lower end fighters whose medical insurance will now be worth more than their pay.
At USC we're not snobs, we're just better than you.
where is Scott Coker?
if the fighter summit is for Strikeforce, shouldn’t he be there? Or am I just seeing all these fighters pose with DW?
I’ve been overwhelmed and I’ve been underwhelmed. Can I ever just be whelmed?
UFC general counsel Lawrence Epstein said it was difficult to find an insurer willing to underwrite the policy, but Zuffa showed them information about expenditures for “injuries sustained during UFC events” and, according to Epstein, the insurers were surprised at “how frankly not serious they were.”
My guess is that the types and severity of injuries suffered during events are not a predictor of injuries sustained in training. I’d bet that this insurance policy – if it exists at all after a year – will be radically different a year from now. Or, when Zuffa sees the premiums skyrocket, they’ll do as others have suggested: pass the added costs along to the fans. They could easily cover the premiums by adding a couple dollars to the PPV fees and doing the same with t-shirts, video library access, and other stuff.
For less than the revenue from a 500,000 PPV buy, Zuffa has bought great p.r. and enhanced fighter loyalty. A good business decision, no doubt, but not an indication of what swell guys they are.
Well said, and
I completely agree with all of your points here…
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
by The American Ronin on May 10, 2011 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Fighters pulling out of fights?
I wonder if we’ll now see more fighters pulling out of fights as soon as they get even a minor injury while training. Right now, you see fighters pushing through minor injuries and still fighting to get paid… in some cases, that results in bad performances (ie Thiago Silva vs Rashad Evans, or Shields vs Kampmann), but other times, it adds to the fight (Hominick vs Aldo, or Anderson vs Sonnen). I’m just afraid that fights will be cancelled/postponed left and right now that they get coverage while training… any thoughts?
I haven’t seen complete details, but it doesn’t sound like this is anything more than a major medical policy that covers only injuries and accidents so all of the out-of-pocket expenses of preparing for a fight still have to be paid by the fighter if they back out. – something very few of them are capable of doing without affecting their lifestyle.
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
by The American Ronin on May 10, 2011 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly. So, the net result of this insurance policy will be that most guys who fight on undercards will still push through their injuries because they simply can’t afford not to fight and not get a paycheck, while those who can afford to delay their fight paychecks will postpone their fights when they get injured. Really, it sounds as though this insurance policy is mostly beneficial for the wealthier MMA fighters, those who could already afford health insurance in the first place.
Zuffa is making the right steps
To be up there with the NFL and NHL. This insurance must cost a bundle of money.
Covered for $50k a year
So, each fighter is covered for up to $50k a year… Is that enough to cover major surgeries on knees, rehabilitation, etc.? I’m asking because I have no clue how much this stuff costs in the states. And what about compensation for loss wages? If a guy is out of commission for a full year because he’s recovering from injuries, does he get some kind of short-term or long-term disability pay to help him with his bills, support his family, etc?
My torn/detatched labrum (shoulder)
The surgery cost ~$20k, and then 20ish or so rehab and follow-up visits
by hardlyworking on May 10, 2011 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
"20ish" is a number not a dollar figure
No idea what a “follow up visit” costs the insurance company, it cost me $60 as my “specialist co-pay”
by hardlyworking on May 10, 2011 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Right, so basically, just about any injury will just about run fighters to the $50k max.
But I’m wondering about the other aspect to this, what about compensation for lost wages? When you hear of fighters going through with their fights despite injuries because they need to get paid, sounds to me like they’ll still have those same problems.
Really?!
Since when do you get compensated for being sick?! Of course every employee wants to have a 100 sick days and 50 vacation days. But this is business as a business owner I know that whatever you do for the employees and add there are always going to be complaints. This is a great thing Zuffa did and I’m sure the costs are very high.
I know, I know. And you’re right, getting sick days and getting disability pay is usually a benefit for employees, and not contractors. But still, we all know many of these UFC fighters, especially those fighting on undercards, can have a tough time to make ends meet, and many will still opt to fight through injuries to get paid rather than pospone and lose one of their 2 or 3 paychecks for the year. I’m not sure what could be done in those cases, but still, it’s a problem.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bloody Elbow
Related FanShots on Bloody Elbow
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
MMA Rankings
