New group forms to start UFC fighters union

[Wild]

A new organization, founded by influential names in the sports world, has formed in an effort to get UFC fighters unionized.

The Professional Fighters Association (PFA) has been established with a goal to get collective bargaining for UFC athletes, it was announced Thursday in a press release. The PFA is hoping to get recognition of a fighters union through the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), the release stated. And the group has the support of many of the major sports unions, like the MLPBA and NFLPA.

"PFA will not only be a union of fighters, but it will be governed solely by fighters," the release said. "It is the fighters who will control their own futures."

The group is being led by longtime baseball agent Jeff Borris, labor attorney Lucas Middlebrook and economist Andrew Zimbalist. Borris once represented the likes of Barry Bonds, Jose Canseco and Rickey Henderson. Middlebrook, best known in the MMA space as Nick Diaz's lawyer, is counsel for the Major League Soccer referees union, NBA referees union and the unions for Southwest Airlines employees. Zimbalist is a highly regarded and oft-published sports economist.

The PFA has also received the support of the MLBPA, NFLPA, NHLPA, NBAPA and MLSPU.

With support of major sports names, new group forms to get UFC fighters unionized

 

[Psychotropic Wanderlust]

now we are fucking getting somewhere!

great job PFA!!!

 

[Wild]

 

[Wild]

Two words: Jeff Borris

 

[BobSalvage]

Seeing the names tied to this and given fighters being more vocal then ever before about unionizing, I am really interested to see where this goes and I think this will definitely be making some big waves.

 

[Punch]

Man, i hope the fighters get paid what they're worth.

 

[HEATH VON DOOM]

This is laughable at this point. Untill they get some current relevant fighters to atrach their name this isnt going anywhere.

 

[Wild]

This is laughable at this point. Untill they get some current relevant fighters to atrach their name this isnt going anywhere.

I think this is a game changer. The team leading this effort is made up of heavy hitters, well respected in organizing other sports. I fully expect Scott Borris to convince the fighters to organize. He is an animal.

 

[HEATH VON DOOM]

I think this is a game changer. The team leading this effort is made up of heavy hitters, well respected in organizing other sports. I fully expect Scott Borris to convince the fighters to organize. He is an animal.

Maybe, its gonna be hard to convince Jon Jones or Conor they need any help making money though. Thats the guys the unions will need to get this started. Then you have the issue of what fighters do when someone refuses the union and the UFC gives them fights.

 

[Zeph]

I think this is a game changer. The team leading this effort is made up of heavy hitters, well respected in organizing other sports. I fully expect Scott Borris to convince the fighters to organize. He is an animal.

They would need to get someone to challenge their independent contractor status in court against the UFC, and win, before this goes anywhere significant. I would imagine it would be the same for Bellator too.

 

[Kingtony87]

So why does this union only apply to the ufc?

 

[HEATH VON DOOM]

I wonder what the feeling will be from guys like Mark Hunt when the Union appeals a PED suspension and the guy is allowed to fight pending appeal.

 

[Wild]

Maybe, its gonna be hard to convince Jon Jones or Conor they need any help making money though. Thats the guys the unions will need to get this started. Then you have the issue of what fighters do when someone refuses the union and the UFC gives them fights.

The top 1% of the roster, making the big $ on their own are small part of this puzzle though, because they don't need them all to organize. They just need a certain % of the roster to vote yes (not sure what that % is). But also, who knows...maybe those guys think they should be making a lot more, and could with collective bargaining. Going to be interesting.

 

[Wild]

They would need to get someone to challenge their independent contractor status in court against the UFC, and win, before this goes anywhere significant. I would imagine it would be the same for Bellator too.

Not sure how that will work, to be honest. Knowing a little bit about who the guys are on this team, I would say they already know what is legal, or they wouldn't be involved.

 

[Zeph]

Not sure how that will work, to be honest. Knowing a little bit about who the guys are on this team, I would say they already know what is legal, or they wouldn't be involved.

Well the fighters have to be employees to form a Union. So until they are recognised as that then any Union is a non-starter. This is a good sign, with some heavy hitters backing it up, but the fight is just getting started and has a long way to go.

 

[Punch]

The top 1% of the roster, making the big $ on their own are small part of this puzzle though, because they don't need them all to organize. They just need a certain % of the roster to vote yes (not sure what that % is). But also, who knows...maybe those guys think they should be making a lot more, and could with collective bargaining. Going to be interesting.

Iirc @ErikMagraken said it was a third to bring up the vote and half to affirm.

 

[dacofty]

Maybe, its gonna be hard to convince Jon Jones or Conor they need any help making money though. Thats the guys the unions will need to get this started. Then you have the issue of what fighters do when someone refuses the union and the UFC gives them fights.

The Fighter union isnt about a hand full of fighters theis will be all across the sport. Anyway I dont see Jones as a fighter for atleast 2 years.. he is old news

 

[dacofty]

Well the fighters have to be employees to form a Union. So until they are recognised as that then any Union is a non-starter. This is a good sign, with some heavy hitters backing it up, but the fight is just getting started and has a long way to go.

i would bet the employye vs contractor will fall fast now that the UFC dictates the uniform ans such, individuality was a main point used, but now thats been taken away.. i think we will see a different thing happen.

 

[Ballzy]

I am going to remain hopefully optimistic on this one. I have yet to hear of a union that didn't have its concerns ahead of its members. I am hoping for a minimum pay per fighter. The normal pay structure in unions is that everyone receives equal pay for equal work. How this applies to top ranked fighters vs. Lower ranked fighters I don't know.

I hope this is a positive step forward for the fighters. Too long the promotions have been making fortunes from the blood of the gladiators who are paid pennies.

 

[Hong Kong Phooey]

what happened to the lawsuit with cung lee et all

 

[Wild]

Imagine a sport where the fighters own their likeness, have a retirement plan, are able to promote individual sponsors again during fight week, receive paid medical leave, etc. IMO that's much needed progress. $4 billion folks. Think about that for a second.

 

[kneeblock]

Questions:

Is this an alternative to or replacement for the organization being started by Maysey?

Is there a separate legal case to get fighters classed as employees?

Is this opportunism in light of the acquisition by a talent agency because they may theoretically be more labor friendly?

What will constitute the bargaining unit? UFC fighters or all fighters?

 

[TheContinentalOp]

Fantastic news to see some headway on this. Hope to see some real changes happen soon.

 

[HEATH VON DOOM]

The Fighter union isnt about a hand full of fighters theis will be all across the sport. Anyway I dont see Jones as a fighter for atleast 2 years.. he is old news

Dont focus on one fighter it was the point i was trying to make. You are wrong in saying its across the sport because the promotions that are not on US soil wont have have to recognize any union. My prediction is you will see alot of the top tier guys leave for overseas for more money. This isnt baseball or football where there isnt another viable option overseas for these guys.

 

[Andrewsimar Palhardass]

When I saw Lucas Middlebrook defending Nick Diaz against Lundvall and the NSAC I had a feeling he'd have something to do with this. They're in good hands.