Back in 2014, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) scored a six year deal with the company Reebok. The deal has since greatly altered the way in which sponsorship functions in the mixed martial arts fighting promotion.
The UFC’s deal with Reebok marked a change for Athlete uniforms. Now, Reebok is the sole outfitter for UFC competitors in the octagon. Now, instead of scoring their own sponsors, fighters are granted athlete uniform bonuses after their performances.
However, the deal has not gone down well with everyone involved. Fighters and fans alike have begun voicing their opinions on the recent change. Among them, mixed martial arts journalists Ariel Helwani, Mike Bohn and Jed Meshew have come forward with some information.
Over Twitter, Ariel Helwani stated “Yeah, but the deal was really great for the fighters. As the story goes, they got all (or most, or the majority, or some) of the money.” To that, Mike Bohn responded “22 months into a reported six-year, $70 million deal and the athletes have been paid total of $12,360,500 (including UFC 211).”
After that, Jed Meshew gave a quick run of the numbers. “Averages to $7,096 per fighter, per event.” He stated.
Yeah, but the deal was really great for the fighters. As the story goes, they got all (or most, or the majority, or some) of the money. https://t.co/wlTceRACHT
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 13, 2017
@arielhelwani 22 months into a reported six-year, $70 million deal and the athletes have been paid total of $12,360,500 (including UFC 211).
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) May 13, 2017
Averages to $7,096 per fighter, per event. https://t.co/MaSSqjf8nu
— Jed Meshew, Esq. (@JedKMeshew) May 14, 2017
