[Opinion] A Fistful Of Reality - Why MMA's Legalization In New York Has Nothing To Do With MMA
For those who haven’t been following the controversy regarding MMA and the State of New York, here is a quick synopsis of what has been going on for a number of years. MMA, one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, is licensed in almost every state in the country to operate shows. Yet, one of the largest potential markets, one that demands MMA, has not allowed any shows to take plan in its state for a number of years. The public demands the sport, but one central factor is preventing it from making its way in the land of Lady Liberty: The Culinary Workers Union.
The Culinary Workers Union, something on the surface so far removed from the world of sports, fighting, and entertainment, would seem to have nothing do with MMA organizations. Unfortunately, for commerce, economic stimulation, and freedom’s sake, they do. You see, the parent company that operates the UFC – Zuffa – is owned by the Fertitta brothers. They are a family that operates a number of Station Casinos in Las Vegas. The casinos that they operate employ a lot of different people: concierges, valets, custodial staff, and many more. One of the types of people they employ is culinary workers in the number of dining facilities that operate in their establishments. All of the workers in the hotel are nonunionized, so the union became involved to push for their presence within Station Casinos.
The Culinary Workers Union has resorted to using mob-style, strong-arm tactics to make sure that Zuffa and the Fertitas pay for their choice of employees. How dare the Fertitas utilize the type of work staff in their establishments that they desire! They should be required to employ who a union tells them to, and they should prepare to escalate the costs of everything in their casinos since that and union employment go hand-in-hand.
The way they have shown their hand is by influencing those in the state of New York to continue to reject the passage of bills that would call for the legalization and regulation of MMA in the state. If that isn’t a strong-arm tactic, rooted in old-school mob mentality, than nothing is. If something doesn’t please you, use blackmail and coercion to get what you want. That is what they continue to do each year a bill comes on the table. If anyone says that politicians won’t be coerced, and will vote for the best thing for their constituents, one only see that a form of entertainment approved almost everywhere, is not approved in New York. The state is a laughingstock when it comes to holding such a stone aged stance. They are being left in the dust while New Jersey grabs up the shows, and money, that go along with regulating shows in the state.
