UFC continues push for sanctioning in New York
Posted on January 13, 2011, 07:41 PM by Joey SantosusAt today's press conference held at New York City's Madison Square Garden, UFC President Dana White, alongside co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta, voiced their intentions to continue the push for the legalization of mixed martial arts in the state of New York.
The UFC brass expressed hope in promoting an event in the Empire State as soon as late 2011, promising no less than two events within the first year of the sport's sanctioning.
"I honestly think it's happening," said Dana White. "Look who's represented today. All the people we talk to, from politicians to Madison Square Garden and the list goes on and on. Was New York tougher than every other place? Absolutely. But I feel like we're right there. We've done a great job. Ten years of nothing but success and safety and continuing to grow the sport. I think we're right there in New York. We're ready to grow the sport and make it happen."
Armed with more than just good intentions, the UFC also presented a financial impact study prepared by HR&A Advisors, a New York based consulting agency, that illustrated the economic activity that the sanctioning of MMA in the state would generate in the first year. What they found was an estimate of $23 million, a number that company spokesman Jamie Springer described as conservative.
The agency foresees New York hosting as many as 70 MMA events annually, with approximately $16 million of the newly generated revenue coming from one UFC event at Madison Square Garden and a second at Buffalo's HSBC Arena. Between the two events, the cities would see an estimated $1.4 million in visitor spending and various new jobs would be created by the sanctioning of non-UFC events. The study can be seen in its entirety at MMAFacts.com/econstudy.
Props: MMAFighting.com | Photo: Getty Images
Comments
****kkkkcc New York...What's the big deal on making an event their anyways...
It's NEW YORK CITY. That's the big deal, buddy.
ya dont see mr. coker making this kind of an effort in america, let alone the whole world like dana does...hate him or love him as mma fans we owe him a lot
maybe because the EMPIRE STATE is one of the best states in the country you stupid foooool.
They have one of the biggest centers(MSG?) for them to possibly have a fight...how can you not think this is a great idea for the UFC?
I hope it happens soon, but I hate when people say safety, in no way is mma safe, they might make sure nonthing absolutly terrible happens but when it comes down to it you can still end up unconsious or with blood gushing out of your face. But MSG would be a good show, I see them putting together 2 title fights that night
oh yea....could make the fight at that place one of the biggest cards ever if it ever happens!!!!
I hope baldy makes it happen.
I just came back from NY, and I got to tell you if MMA happens there then it'll happen anywhere.
dana you should be looking for a way too help the ufc fighters not to get robbed by the judges. instead of making a sales pitch with ny. leave that 2nd on your list.
Lesnar vs Mir 3 Madison Square Garden!!!!!!! lets do it
Федор-Оверим. Только этот бой может заполнить трибуны этого стадиона
to be honest i wouldn't be completely shocked if dana and vince have done a deal for brock to wrestle at wrestlemania, dana looked kind of strange when he was answering those questions,
If New York fans wrote or telephoned their local politicians they could easily have MMA in New York. New York fans need to speak up. It would be kinda cool, and symbolically significant if MMA fights took over the venue which was built for boxing--Madison Square Gardens.
Renamed to Madison Octagon Gardens