UFC Lobbies for Itself in Albany
Jake Rossen Jun 22, 2010
Because of a sad, involved story involving the long-defunct Extreme
Fighting organization attempting to one-up the UFC and hold an
event in New York State in 1997 -- both making lots of noise in the
media and shaming legislators in the process -- MMA has been
unwelcome in Madison Square Garden. In terms of outdated
prohibitions, this ranks right up there with obscure laws about
spitting in public or walking backwards on a Thursday.
Monday, representatives from the UFC traveled to Albany in an attempt to make the final push for legislation in the state a smooth one. (The bill that would legalize it is currently in the state assembly.) According to News10, some lawmakers are eager to help put a dent in the state’s multi-billion dollar deficit. Others, like noted antique Bob Reilly, are still waiting for everyone to turn into salt.
"We're going to say to kids, don't fight and don't bully, but it's okay for us to do it, because we're making money off it,” he told the news outlet. “That's a pretty horrible message I think.” Reilly then turned his attention to rejecting any state revenue earned in taxing alcohol and tobacco. Of course he did.
Reilly continues to ignore the fact that if children are going to be psychologically damaged from watching cage fights, it’ll probably happen as a result of the dozen hours of weekly MMA programming already available on their television. Watching a live show and getting a closer look at a disgusting hematoma or water-sprinkler cut might actually dissuade them from ever getting physical with anyone.
That’s just a guess. Ask Reilly: he’s clearly the one with the psychology degree.
Monday, representatives from the UFC traveled to Albany in an attempt to make the final push for legislation in the state a smooth one. (The bill that would legalize it is currently in the state assembly.) According to News10, some lawmakers are eager to help put a dent in the state’s multi-billion dollar deficit. Others, like noted antique Bob Reilly, are still waiting for everyone to turn into salt.
"We're going to say to kids, don't fight and don't bully, but it's okay for us to do it, because we're making money off it,” he told the news outlet. “That's a pretty horrible message I think.” Reilly then turned his attention to rejecting any state revenue earned in taxing alcohol and tobacco. Of course he did.
Reilly continues to ignore the fact that if children are going to be psychologically damaged from watching cage fights, it’ll probably happen as a result of the dozen hours of weekly MMA programming already available on their television. Watching a live show and getting a closer look at a disgusting hematoma or water-sprinkler cut might actually dissuade them from ever getting physical with anyone.
That’s just a guess. Ask Reilly: he’s clearly the one with the psychology degree.
