UFC Looking to Bring its Game to NYC in 2009
By Bryan Levick, FightTicker.com blogger
ESPN.com has an article up about the UFC's attempt to get MMA legalized in the great state of New York. There is a meeting scheduled for January 7th which will include New York Governor David Paterson. New York -- along with the rest of the East Coast -- has many fans clamoring to see the UFC live so hopefully this is the first step on the path to seeing our dream come true. According to ESPN.com:
A session on the matter begins in Albany on Jan. 7 with Governor David Paterson making the opening speech. Those in the mixed martial arts industry are hoping it will be only a matter of months before the governor signs Bill No.S02858, legalizing the sport in the Empire State and putting it under the regulatory of the New York State Athletic Commission.
Ever the optimist, UFC President Dana White is already sketching plans for a show in Madison Square Garden in the fall. "I'm very confident we're going to be in New York in 2009," White said. "It's going to be fun when we roll into New York."
Of course, White was confident last year when the UFC began its initiative to get MMA legalized in New York. The UFC thought it had worked enough rooms, shaken enough hands and contributed enough money to various campaigns to get a similar bill passed in 2008. But the bill was defeated by the Assembly Committee on Tourism, Arts and Sports Development because of the concerns over the brutality of the sport.
If you have ever been to Madison Square Garden for a NY Knicks game or a boxing event you know how amazing the feeling is. There is no arena in the world like MSG and if NY were to legalize MMA it would bring some much needed revenue to the state. Any show the UFC would book here would be sold out within minutes. The last time the UFC came anywhere near the Big Apple was for UFC 78 back in November, 2007 in Newark, NJ. Even with a lackluster main event of Michael Bisping vs. Rashad Evans the show still sold out.
(To read the original article, head over to ESPN.com)
Comments
I bet it won't get through
I bet it won't get through the dumbass legislature! And even if it does Patterson may not sign it. Also "word on the street" is that many boxing promoters and supporters are attempting to block this bill. Anyway, NY States Government will mess it up somehow, probably because someone isn't getting the right amount of payolla.
Wardog
And Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge,
With Ate by his side come hot from hell,
Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice
Cry 'Havoc,' and let slip the dogs of war;
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