GSP: Reebok deal among 'several' sticking points in UFC negotiation

[Wild]

Georges St-Pierre has confirmed that he is currently negotiating with the UFC, but sponsorship could be one of the major hurdles they have to agree upon.

Long time welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre has recently confirmed that he indeed is in negotiations with the UFC. While doing the rounds with the media, in part to promote his upcoming TV show about paleontology and dinosaurs, he did share more details on the discussions for his return.

"I am not able to tell you a scoop, if there is any news it is the UFC that will decide to release it," St-Pierre told RDS in French, and translated by Bloody Elbow's John Nash. "I can say that I am on good terms with them. But we sometimes do not agree on some things."

According to the French Canadian outlet, sponsorship is "currently one of…


Georges St-Pierre: Reebok deal among 'several' sticking points in UFC negotiation

 

[jason73]

dont do it georges

 

[kneeblock]

I would love to see Georges go back to school and get a degree in paleontology or archeology and become the Ross Geller of MMA.

That's the kind of success story we need in this unforgiving sport.

 

[Robbie Hart]

I don't see the point in fighting again........become a coach/manager, many could use someone like him.

 

[Wild]

He no like the Heebok.

 

[Treadstone06]

Is there any chance that this might act as a wake up to the UFC that perhaps they need to do something about the sponsership issues. I mean this is one of your companies biggest stars/biggest money maker on record saying that the sponsership crap is one of the main reasons he's not back fighting. I doubt it but we can hope right...

 

[Sweets]

There is no value for George returning.

 

[Wild]

Is there any chance that this might act as a wake up to the UFC that perhaps they need to do something about the sponsership issues. I mean this is one of your companies biggest stars/biggest money maker on record saying that the sponsership crap is one of the main reasons he's not back fighting. I doubt it but we can hope right...

No chance...

 

[Yossarian]

He'll come back to a more hollow version of the UFC with an abundance of interim titles and an exploitive sponsor "program". He'll come back to a UFC that has stated that they are the product, the star, NOT the fighters.. that is what awaits him in the UFC. GSP was part of a UFC that had undeniable personalities that were allowed to express themselves. He was part of a more colorful UFC.

A GSP that comes back will be a GSP designed to serve the product that is UFC, and to serve an employer that is openly disrespectful towards fighters and their accomplishments. GSP will become just another Reebok/UFC billboard in there, without any of his unique and signature appearance; the gi, the headband, etc.

The fans and the legacy are there no matter what. There's nothing to gain career-wise. If only his contract was over and he could fight somewhere else, then I would incourage him.

 

[FadeToBlack]

Is there any chance that this might act as a wake up to the UFC that perhaps they need to do something about the sponsership issues.

I think the wake up alarm happened a long time ago and they're either preparing to address it (or already have with certain fighters) or they just keep hitting the snooze button while Bellator quietly gets better.

 

[FadeToBlack]

There is no value for George returning.

Not sure about that. But I do agree his legacy looks pretty damn good if he just stays away. Either way, if the bug is in him to fight, he deserves to fight. If he's trying to do a cash grab, that could backfire.

 

[Ted Williams' head]

The UFC really fucked themselves over with the Reebok deal, because sponsorship money was a big part of a fighters salary, and they didn't even have to pay a cent for it! So it should be up to Zuffa to foot the bill.

If GSP says he could have made an extra 1-2 million per fight on sponsorships, then the UFC should have to add that lost revenue onto his purse.

The UFC needs GSP more than he needs them. GSP has nothing left to prove in MMA, he's made his mark already. GSP will bring in big PPV buys. Or he could go to Bellator, I'm sure they would be willing to shell out mega cash to get the exposure GSP would give them.

 

[BJTT_Pella]

It sounds like GSP is NOT impressed by Reebok's performance.

 

[BanMe]

It sounds like GSP is NOT impressed by Reebok's performance.

QFT

 

[Silverball]

 

[lookoutawhale]

hopefully GSP stays retired. His last few fights didnt look so good after his injuries. He was really slow and his takedowns were no longer explosive. He started clock watching a lot too which is something he never did before.

 

[Sweets]

Not sure about that. But I do agree his legacy looks pretty damn good if he just stays away. Either way, if the bug is in him to fight, he deserves to fight. If he's trying to do a cash grab, that could backfire.

Ahhh ye let him do what he wants..

 

[Porkchop]

GSP would lose so much money with the Reebok deal, I wouldn't be too excited to come back to that either.