A NEW ORGANISATION which aims to provide union representation for Ultimate Fighting Championship athletes has been launched today, according to a press release.
The Professional Fighters Association [PFA] has been formed with a view to securing collective bargaining for fighters in the UFC, the dominant organisation in the sport of mixed martial arts.
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Gaining recognition for such a union via the National Labour Relations Act in the USA is what the PFA is ultimately aspiring to, and they’ve managed to earn the support of major sports unions such as those in operation in the NFL, MLB, NHL and MLS.
“The PFA will not only be a union of fighters, but it will be governed solely by fighters,” the statement reads. “It is the fighters who will control their own futures.”
The team behind the PFA includes veteran baseball agent Jeff Borris, economist Andrew Zimbalist and lawyer Lucas Middlebrook, who represents UFC star Nick Diaz.
The PFA statement added: “The major sports players’ unions, including the MLBPA, NFLPA, NHLPA and the MLSPU, have provided the PFA with their support of the UFC fighters’ quest to organise and collectively bargain their terms and conditions of employment.
“The scales have been tipped in favour of the UFC for too long. It is time for the fighters — the ones responsible for the UFC’s success — to receive their equal share.”
According to the PFA’s website, UFC athletes benefit from 15% of the organisation’s revenue, compared to 50% in the NBA. The UFC, which was recently sold to a group headed up by WME-IMG for $4 billion, has often been criticised for its treatment of fighters.
“As a strong labour union, the NFL Players Association recognises the need for a collective voice among athletes and supports the efforts of the UFC fighters to stand together as a team to advance their rights as working men and women,” said DeMaurice Smith, Executive Director of the National Football League Players Association.
Body to represent UFC fighters launches with support from NFL and MLS peers
A NEW ORGANISATION which aims to provide union representation for Ultimate Fighting Championship athletes has been launched today, according to a press release.
The Professional Fighters Association [PFA] has been formed with a view to securing collective bargaining for fighters in the UFC, the dominant organisation in the sport of mixed martial arts.
Gaining recognition for such a union via the National Labour Relations Act in the USA is what the PFA is ultimately aspiring to, and they’ve managed to earn the support of major sports unions such as those in operation in the NFL, MLB, NHL and MLS.
“The PFA will not only be a union of fighters, but it will be governed solely by fighters,” the statement reads. “It is the fighters who will control their own futures.”
The team behind the PFA includes veteran baseball agent Jeff Borris, economist Andrew Zimbalist and lawyer Lucas Middlebrook, who represents UFC star Nick Diaz.
The PFA statement added: “The major sports players’ unions, including the MLBPA, NFLPA, NHLPA and the MLSPU, have provided the PFA with their support of the UFC fighters’ quest to organise and collectively bargain their terms and conditions of employment.
“The scales have been tipped in favour of the UFC for too long. It is time for the fighters — the ones responsible for the UFC’s success — to receive their equal share.”
According to the PFA’s website, UFC athletes benefit from 15% of the organisation’s revenue, compared to 50% in the NBA. The UFC, which was recently sold to a group headed up by WME-IMG for $4 billion, has often been criticised for its treatment of fighters.
“As a strong labour union, the NFL Players Association recognises the need for a collective voice among athletes and supports the efforts of the UFC fighters to stand together as a team to advance their rights as working men and women,” said DeMaurice Smith, Executive Director of the National Football League Players Association.
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MMA Professional Fighters Association UFC Union