News
UFC Nearly Fires Stars Over Gaming Licensing
Dana White is a Tool
by Coop
Yahoo Sports is reporting that the UFC nearly fired several of its talents over refusing to sign a lifetime licensing contract. Fighter Jon Fitch was the first on the chopping block, and had issues with signing a lifetime deal to put his likeness in THQ games.
“Working for free and selling our rights away for lifetime, that’s a little different,” said Fitch, who said he hasn’t spoken with White but plans to call him. “We tried to negotiate five- or 10-year deals with them, but it wasn’t good enough. It was all or nothing. He wanted our lifetime. He wanted our souls forever.”
I don’t disagree, a lifetime is a long time, especially when THQ is involved. It’s especially upsetting that they refused to budge on the deal, not dropping it from lifetime to 5-10 years. What’s even more annoying is UFC President Dana White’s comments, which come off as detestable and villainous:
“We’re looking for guys who want to work with us and not against us, and frankly I’m just so [expletive] sick of this [expletive] it’s not even funny,” White said.
...seriously? That's your fucking response? As a business person, that's how you handle someone wanting to negotiate an unfair LIFETIME contract? This makes me sick to my stomach, and adds another douche to my hate list. The contract gives no royalties to the family after death, signs away his soul for a lifetime, and the fact that he draws issue with it causes White to flip out like a child? Jon Fitch is a strong guy; obviously, he should put him in his place.
Sadly, Fitch has apparently buckled to the pressure and signed, go figure.
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Comments
well as much as Dana White is a tool, Fitch is the bigger tool for standing up for what he believes in (which he is right, the deal is shit) and then turning face and signing it.. what a knee buckling bitch..
White just didn't want to be obligated to pay royalties after the fighter retires from the UFC. its typical self-ish business ethic :/
Why would anyone ever sign their licenses over for a lifetime? Dana White is doing what every owner tries to do. I wont be getting the game either way. After UFC 91 I have lost all faith in everything..... god bless you Randy. God Bless you...
While Dana White is one of the more shrewd businessmen working in sports today, I'm glad Fitch is going to sign. There's no other market for MMA as viable as the UFC, and as he is one of the more talented fighters working right now, it would've been a shame to see him throw his career away over this gaming license issue. The lifetime stipulation is a little weird, but since I can't read the whole contract, I can't see what type of benefits the contract also awards fighters.
@jpage: Really? UFC 91, one of the best PPVs fight for fight, caused you to lose faith in the company? Each fight was solid, and showcased many up and comers. 92 is probably going to be the PPV of the year, but 91 made a case for itself to be right up there.