Fertitta applauds Business Council of New York for support of legalizing MMA in New York
Fertitta applauds Business Council of New York for support of legalizing MMA in New York
Lorenzo Fertitta, UFC® Chairman & CEO, today applauded the Business Council of New York State (BCNYS) for issuing a “memo in support” of A.2604 (Morelle) / S.2159 (Griffo), to legalize mixed martial arts (MMA) in New York State.
“I want to thank the leadership of the Business Council for recognizing that legalizing MMA in New York – the last place in North America where professional MMA is illegal – would provide a new economic boost to New York,” Fertitta said. “As the Business Council recognizes in its memo, legalizing and regulating MMA in New York ‘will bring much needed economic activity to New York’s sports and entertainment venues, hospitality industry and generate additional revenues for the State and local governments.’
“I’ve said it before but I want to say it again to be clear, the UFC is prepared to demonstrate its commitment to our New York fans, who’ve waited longer for legal professional MMA than our fans in any of the other 49 states. We are prepared to launch the most intense and epic series of major events over the next three years that the Empire State has ever seen,” Fertitta said.
“If New York legalizes and properly regulates MMA in 2015, the UFC will hold a minimum of four events per year for the next three years. Yes, we will hold events in New York City – our fighters and our fans have been clamoring for the Garden and the new Barclays Center – but we are also looking forward to hosting at least three events annually in Upstate cities, where we will smash local box office records and bring in fans from Canada and states throughout the northeast,” Fertitta said.
