Many criticized the Reebok-UFC apparel deal when it was announced in 2015. UFC president Dana White said they wouldn’t make a penny from the deal and all the money would go to the fighters except for expenses that would need to be covered.
That notion doesn’t seem to be the case. During an interview on the Hawkcast Podcast with former NFL player AJ Hawk, MMA journalist Ariel Helwani doesn’t believe that to be the case.
“Go back to the press conference when they (UFC) announced this (Reebok deal),” Helwani stated. “And they told all of us and I was there, it was in New York. Ronda (Rousey) was there, Frankie Edgar was there, Chris Weidman was there and maybe a couple other fighters. They told us that all the money, all the money is going to the fighters. That not a penny of this deal is going to the UFC. And they’re going to be in stores, Sports Authority and Modell’s and they’re going to have jerseys and they’re going to get 20 percent of this. I’ve never gone into a sports store and seen an Al Iaquinta jersey. I’ve never gone into a sports store and seen a Renan Barao jersey. I don’t think I’ve even seen not anyone named Conor or Ronda. And it’s very rare. One time I was at a supermarket last May and I remember it because it was such a big deal. And I saw someone wearing a Robbie Lawler jersey at the supermarket. A kit if you will. I couldn’t believe it. I wanted to interview this man. Where did you get it? Why did you buy it? How much did you pay? And that’s the other thing. They’re like 99 bucks, these things. I used to be a huge jersey fan. Like I loved getting a Patrick Ewing jersey. But i never the official one because they were like 100 bucks. I couldn’t justify that. This isn’t even like sewn on. This is not even an official. I was a big Bills fan and I just got a blank one and they were the worst. I put 78 on it and I put Smith because I loved Bruce Smith. And that was my jersey. I wouldn’t dream of getting like the $300 real official one. And they’re selling this thing for 99 bucks and it’s like not even sewn on. I don’t know how you can justify that.”
Hawk and Helwani were discussing how much time is left on the deal and if the UFC can get out of it.
“Let me ask you this, ‘Why would they get out of it?'” Helwani said. “They’re making money off it. This idea that they aren’t making any money off of it is not true. So, they’re making money off of it. They don’t have to deal with sponsors. It makes it look cleaner.”
