UFC and Reebok: What This Deal Means

[Steve_OS]

It's an interesting arrangement that came about today, as the UFC and Reebok announced a massive partnership that looks to homogenize the sponsorship aspects of MMA into one unified front. By establishing a uniform, so to speak, for all of the fighters, the UFC is effectively standardizing the way fighters will look for weigh-ins, press conferences and actual fights. This brings all of the fighters under one banner, as they will all be paid money based on their rankings but also for how well their individual uniform sells. They will be allowed some level of coloring and customization, which explains the varying royalties for unique fighters.

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[mosdef328]

Great write up and an interesting read. I agree that it may remove a lot of "character" from the sport. I think this is going to be one of those wait and see's I really hope every fight isn't like a generic red vs. blue, that would be terrible.

[CHAPEdawg45]

This seems like a fighters union might be coming along the way.

[cpf3000]

Jon Jones lost his sponsorship contract with Nike several months back after the pushing incident with Daniel Cormier. Other fighters do have solo sponsorships though, notably the XBOX gear the Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson, the Flyweight champion, wears.

[airjordan2k4]

Nike dropped Jones, Silva, and I think even JDS a while ago and got out of MMA/UFC business. Although Jones said it was because of the brawl that had nothing to do with it. UFC wanted Nike to pay UFC's sponsor tax and they wouldn't so fighters weren't allowed to have on the Nike logo during fights. Look at Silva and Jones' last fights, no Nike.

[airjordan2k4]

Quote: Originally Posted by CHAPEdawg45

This seems like a fighters union might be coming along the way.

Not 100% sure but can they form a union? None of the fighters are UFC employees. They're all considered independent contractors. I thought that was done to save companies from taxes and to fight off unions.

[aholbert32]

Quote: Originally Posted by airjordan2k4

Nike dropped Jones, Silva, and I think even JDS a while ago and got out of MMA/UFC business. Although Jones said it was because of the brawl that had nothing to do with it. UFC wanted Nike to pay UFC's sponsor tax and they wouldn't so fighters weren't allowed to have on the Nike logo during fights. Look at Silva and Jones' last fights, no Nike.

Silva and JDS are still signed to Nike. Nike refuses to pay the tax so they cant wear Nike gear in the Octagon but they are still signed to Nike. Jones was dropped after the brawl. During his last fight against Glover, the UFC merchandise booth was actually selling Jones/Nike t-shirts (I bought one) but he couldnt wear it in the Octagon because of Nike's refusal to pay the tax.

My point is just because someone isnt wearing a brand in the cage doesnt mean he is dropped. GSP has been signed to Under Armour for years but has never worn it for the same reason.

[aholbert32]

Quote: Originally Posted by airjordan2k4

Not 100% sure but can they form a union? None of the fighters are UFC employees. They're all considered independent contractors. I thought that was done to save companies from taxes and to fight off unions.

You dont have to be an employee to form a union. IC status has more to do with taxes than preventing unions from taking place.