By Carla Varriale
New York’s Assembly ended its recent legislative session without a vote on legislation that would have sanct9ioned and regulated the sport of mixed martial arts (“MMA”).The legislation passed in New York’s Senate in March with bipartisan support and would have permitted and regulated single discipline MMA organizations to hold professional competitions in the state. The proposed legislation also empowered the state Athletic Commission to regulate professional MMA bouts.
Despite widespread popularity, there have been no MMA bouts held in New York since the sport was banned more than a decade ago. Proponents of the legislation have observed that allowing MMA bouts in New York would create jobs and promote business growth. Connecticut and Canada have recently legalized MMA, leaving New York as the only state—and possibly the place in North America—where the sport is illegal. Opponents of the legislation have contended that it is unreasonably dangerous and, recently, that the sport is misogynistic and promotes domestic violence. Ultimate Fighting Championship (“UFC”) Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta decried the allegations in a statement released after the Assembly declined to vote on the legislation.
In the beginning of August, Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb called for a special session in the assembly to address the vote on MMA. His efforts were not successful. However, the proponent of legalization aren’t tapped out: the legislative process can start afresh next year. Although it will be the fifth consecutive year that legislation has been introduced without a victory, supporters of legalizing MMA are as resilient as the sport’s fighters. They are clearly ready for another round.
Carla Varriale is a partner at Havkins Rosenfeld Ritzert and Varriale, LLP (“HRRV”) in New York. Her practice focuses on the representation of sports and recreational venues. She can be reached at carla.varriale@hrrvlaw.com.
