New York MMA Bill Appears to Be Dead in the Water
by Mike Fagan on Jun 8, 2011 3:00 PM EDT
in MMA News
Email
Print
On Monday, a bill to regulate mixed martial arts in the state of New York passed through the Tourism, Parks, Arts, and Sports Development Committee by a lopsided 17-3 vote. While the news was noteworthy given MMA stonewall Bob Reilly's seat on that committee, it came with the caveat that similar bills in years past had moved through the same committee only to meet death shortly thereafter.
It looks as if our death pronouncement came early this year. From Justin Klein of the Fight Lawyer blog:
If you follow this blog you know by now that Sheldon Silver can make or break legislation in New York. That is why it is so troubling to hear this quote (at the link above):
"There does not appear to be widespread support in the Assembly for this legislation," Silver said when asked if the proposal would be approved before the June 20 end of the legislative session.
This language essentially tracks words used by Assemblyman Englebright -- the MMA bill's sponsor in the Assembly -- for the past two-years.
This does not bode will for the bill this year as it would seem to corroborate my belief that the bill would stall out in committee again this year.
Sheldon Silver is the Speaker of the New York State Assembly -- the highest office in that legislature, and his few words influence the state of MMA in New York much more than the grandstanding and handwringing of Bob Reilly.
Klein pointed to this New York Magazine piece detailing Silver's power and influence in state politics.
He also noted that "approximately 60 assembly members" had signed a letter voicing their support for the bill and calling for a full floor vote before the end of the legislative session. It appears that document will fall on deaf ears.
45 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
This is freaking terrible news
It was expected, but terrible news none the less.
Keep up the good fight, and someone please take out Mr. Reilly
-Say man when I was growing up we wanted a Jacuzzi, we had to fart in the tub.
As the posting indicates, Reilly isn’t the problem here.
www.hottopicwithphil.com
by Worldisart on Jun 8, 2011 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Not in this instance
But he is very vocal about his dislike for MMA and that IMO is enough to justify what I said.
-Say man when I was growing up we wanted a Jacuzzi, we had to fart in the tub.
I'm all for MMA in NY as a symbol, but at this point I could care less.
If NYC in particular chooses to stay off the mma band wagon, hopefully the cities that are friendly to mma will prosper at their expense.
Given the monied interests of Wallstreet, I think most politicians are voting against this just to look good to all voters who don’t care about mma one way or the other.
Since they can’t actually stop crime without paying for more cops, they can at least trumpet their strong stance on “human cock fightnig”
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
by Snatchl on Jun 8, 2011 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
*couldn't care less
dammit!
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
and that IMO is enough to justify what I said.
I’m so glad you feel that’s justification to have someone “taken out”.
www.hottopicwithphil.com
I always forget that sarcasm doesn’t come across well on internet message boards
-Say man when I was growing up we wanted a Jacuzzi, we had to fart in the tub.
This is NY State politics
I am not surprised in the slightest.
Ask anyone that lives in NY State and they will tell you this is par for the course. The state legislature is run by incompetent fools
Sheeeeeeeee-it
Incompetence is the wrong word. They’re only incompetent if you assume that their goal is to do what’s best for the state. If you assume that their goal is to maintain and grow their own power, then they are quite competent.
by Finian1 on Jun 8, 2011 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I assure you that voting Republican will make things worse. They are just as self-interested as the Democrats, and they’re worse on policy.
You are way wrong.
Not saying Republicans dont have their issues,but the worse states in the union are Democratic controlled. I know I live in 1.
No.
New York might be a blue state when presidential elections come around, and is majority Democrat, but it’s been almost a completely even 50/50 balance when it comes to state politicians for the last 20 years.
Greed and ego killed New York politics, not any particular party.
this particular issue, both parties are responsible for this situation.
Republicans were behind the ban, and aren’t really behind the bill as a party. Democrats are problematic because the democratic machine is what is currently holding up the bill.
As far as the parties go, one district needs to switch (silver’s) otherwise silver or republicans hold the bill’s future in their hands, and neither of those appear to be positive for us.
You know what I say?
Fuck NY. Apart from the aspiring fighters who have to go elsewhere to fight, and the fans who live there, who even gives a shit whether they regulate MMA or not? We don’t need Madison Square Garden just to say we’re legit.
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 Jun 8, 2011 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions
There are 20 million people in NYS and 1.6 million people in Manhattan alone. And some of those people have money, and I want some of it to go to MMA. I want MMA to be more than just legit — lacrosse is legit, and so is curling. I want it to be huge, I mean boxing huge with famous actors and musicians filling the front rows, with big fights on network television. Like it or not, if MMA is going to be more than a niche sport it has to be legal everywhere, especially in the third most populous state in the UFC’s home country. There are very few places to hold a fight that are as culturally and historically significant as MSG and God damn it I want MMA in there.
To be honest,
it’s only a minor speedbump. And personally, I only care about MMA getting big enough so that the vast majority of the cards are on free TV. PPV is a shitty model and I fucking hate it.
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 Jun 12, 2011 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions
In an economic climate where Bloomberg is laying off thousands of teachers it’s in everyone’s political self interest to cash in where they can.
I’m a fighter living in NYC and everyone and their grandma was striking up conversations about the MMA bill when it passed and they were all genuinely excited. I believe “widespread support” legitimately exists—at the very least as a budget stopgap.
You are correct sir
“widespread support” absolutely exists…..Josh Gross has a good piece on espn, an interview with Assemblyman Dean Murray explaining the actual level of support……if the bill can just get to the Assembly floor it really seems as if they have secured enough votes for it to pass…….
formerly NeilLomaxFan
by BrothersGottaAndyHug on Jun 8, 2011 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions
What the hell is wrong with these people?
I just don’t get what the fuck is their problem? Can’t be just Reilly and one union there must be something deeper than I can just don’t get or understand, what is it? I’m sure within the supporters there are Republicans and Democrats, it’s not like they need to spend money on anything, and I really don’t think its a grassroots movement that opposes MMA.
First of all, this legend about organized labor holding up the passage of this bill has been thoroughly debunked.
If you want to know the answer to your questions, you have to answer this: What does Sheldon Silver get if he allows the Assembly to vote on the bill? What political or financial advantage does he gain? Apparently at this point Silver does not feel that the personal advantage he would gain is adequate, therefore, he is not interested.
Debunked by who?
But Silver is opposing it why? Just because he doesn’t get anything out of it there many bills that pass and all of them Silver gain or loses anything this runs deeper.
Yes, I am interested as well....
….since I have lived in NY my entire life and from my experience, union influence is deeply ingrained in NYS politics…
If other facts have been brought to light, please post a link.
Here are two links. The first has information saying that one particular union is trying to impede legalization, and also a discussion of why this whole idea is overblown. The second is from Stephen Koepfer of Coalition to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York, who also argues against the idea :
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/5/19/2176475/whats-keeping-mma-out-of-new-york-is-it-the-union-going-after-the-ufc (read comments also)
http://nymmanow.blogspot.com/2011/05/zuffas-union-blues-and-new-york-mma.html
The bottom line is, there may be some mild opposition from some part of organized labor, but that is not the reason this bill is being spiked. Remember, we’re talking about a bunch of serious egomaniacs here, and it’s not all about campaign donations or campaign volunteers. These guys don’t just want money. They want deference. If they don’t feel that their superior position is being properly acknowledged, they will shaft you. Deference is not known as a prominent personality trait for DW or the Fertittas.
First of all, this legend about organized labor holding up the passage of this bill has been thoroughly debunked.
If you want to know the answer to your questions, you have to answer this: What does Sheldon Silver get if he allows the Assembly to vote on the bill? What political or financial advantage does he gain? Apparently at this point Silver does not feel that the personal advantage he would gain is adequate, therefore, he is not interested.
Anyone wondering if New York is a lost cause?
MMA can take place in Ontario & Quebec-Canada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. New York must feel like the fat geeky kid in the middle having his school books thrown around.
It's ultimately their loss.
Since there are plenty of Native American reservations in NY open to MMA, not to mention every surrounding state and Canadian province, the only thing we don’t get to see if MMA at MSG.
If the people of NY support mma, but can’t get the politicians to vote their way, it’s time to throw out some incumbants.
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
hey guys
hey guys first time poster on here but a long time reader. It’s a shame MMA can’t get regulated in NY for whatever reason.If Riley really wants to keep bringing up it’s dangerous obviously hockey should be banned there also ( played hockey since I was 5 and love the sport ). It’s all a joke and theres no reason it should not be legal.
by BrockLesnar Budlight on Jun 8, 2011 4:00 PM EDT reply actions
Welcome aboard, BLBl.
I’m with you. Hopefully, we’ll have some clarification soon on why some of these politicians are so dead set against this. I’m thinking boxing money, but could totally be wrong.
...........
You know Joe, Brandon Vera is considered to be a Heavyweight George St.Pierre because he just comes, comes, and comes again... -Mike Goldberg, UFC 57
Cheick Kongo looks like a cross between Evander Holyfield and pop singer Seal!
Melvin Guilard looks like a little Kevin Randelman!
-Mike "All black people look alike to me" Goldberg, UFC 62/64
by Jonnycaz2.0 on Jun 8, 2011 4:18 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Fine by me.
Take MMA to cities that actually want it there. Fuck NY.
Why be like that?
There is actually a lot of support at the citizen-level…..so actually, we do want it here.
The problem right now is that it has enough votes to pass but not enough people who care enough to fight the machine and get silver to put it up for a vote. Anyone with a democratic assemblymember in ny should be contacting them to try to pressure silver, and everyone should be asking the governor to do it also.
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
