“It Puts the UFC on the Same Level as NBA and NFL” – Ronda Rousey Defends UFC Sponsorship Deal

UFC’s sponsorship deal with Reebok was one of the most controversial moves in the company’s history. Some fighters even compared it to slavery. However, Ronda Rousey believes that the move was necessary to bring UFC at par with the major leagues of the USA.

The former UFC Women’s Bantamweight champion appeared on the Steve-O’s new Wild Ride podcast. She reasoned that the deal ensures a threshold sponsorship pay for everyone.

“Well, I mean it’s not that they get nothing,” said Ronda. “It’s that everybody gets a split share. So instead of having a whole bunch of people having a whole bunch of individual sponsors all over themself, everybody gets a share of the Reebok sponsor, whatever they’re paying.

The UFC inked its sponsorship deal with Reebok in 2015. As per the terms of the deal, fighters could no longer have individual sponsorship. Moreover, they couldn’t wear apparels, before or after the fight, that had logos of any other brand than Reebok.

Reebok was, however, not involved with how the fighters were compensated. The UFC paid fighters, for each fight, according to their experience. The major issue with several fighters was that they were making more money with their sponsorship deals. However, Ronda argued that the change was necessary to bring the UFC at par with the NBA and NFL.

“It’s kind of the standard that has been set by other sports. UFC was unique in that, and when they were smaller, that was part of the hustle. As they got bigger and mainstream some of those smaller characteristics kind of got lost, because if they wanted to be looked at on the same level as the NBA and the NFL and f–king baseball and all that s–t, they have to kind of adapt their model a little bit more.”

The Reebok-UFC deal will end next year

The UFC has come a long way from the time it made the deal. The organisation is now a part of mainstream sports not just in the UFC, but globally. Fighters pay has increased substantially. Moreover, several fighters have become household names, unlike five years ago.

However, the UFC still comes across the radar for being an organization that promotes itself more than the fighters. The fighters on the company’s roster are still individual contractors and not full-time employees. Fighters, such as Cris Cyborg, have enjoyed the freedom that they received after leaving the UFC and joining another promotion.

The sponsorship deal will be completing its tenure next year in 2021. How the UFC proceeds further will define its stand on the importance it places on the voices of its employees. It can either cut the chord with Reebok or extend the deal further. If the first case happens then the fighters will be free to go ahead with their sponsors.

What do you think will be the UFC’s plan of action with the deal next year?