The California State Legislature this week passed a bill that would create a state-run pension fund for mixed martial arts fighters in California, which hosts the most fights and most fighters of any state.
Assembly Bill 1136 or the Mixed Martial Arts Retirement Benefit Fund bill, introduced by Assemblymember Matt Haney, D-San Francisco, was overwhelmingly approved on the Senate and Assembly floors without opposition on Wednesday.
Under the legislation, event promoters like the UFC and Bellator MMA will be required to allot a portion of ticket sales to help MMA fighters have guaranteed income after retirement, according to Haney’s office.
Haney’s office clarified that the pension would not be funded by state money but “financed through ticket sales, sports paraphernalia, and souvenirs.”
“For every ticket sold, $1 would go towards the MMA Fighters Pension Fund. MMA fighters would become vested between 12-14 fights, which is around 39 scheduled rounds at Commission regulated MMA events,” Haney’s office said.
Once Gov. Gavin Newsom signs the bill, the California State Athletic Commission who will manage the new fund will begin creating it as soon as January next year, according to Haney’s office.
Notable retired MMA fighters and coaches like Ronda Rousey, Urijah Faber, Cat Zingano and Cesar Gracie, along with veteran MMA referees Herb Dean and Mike Beltran, have voiced support for the bill since its first announcement in February.
“Everyone loves you when you’re fighting in the octagon, but will any of those people be there for you when you’re in your 90s paying the price?” Rousey said.
17 comments
What a dangerous precedent this will create, possibly leading to a pension program for the
homeless! How blatantly stupid this idea is! I don’t believe it won’t be taxpayer funded.
How f…… stupid can we get?
Government in California should stay out of this issue. Stop the victimization of everyone.
If MMA thinks it is so important, they can do it independently. More BS from SF.
I had no clue MMA fighters were on par with the homeless. Phenomenal insights.
I’m glad that MMA fighters have a pension.
I thought those guys made enough not to need pensions. But then I don’t follow that form of entertainment.
It would be nice if the legislators in Sacramento could respond that quickly to more urgent matters such as the state budget and all of the wasteful spending in the state.
All I can do is dream on.
Well no more UFC in Cali.
Or they can plan ahead and save into a 401k or IRA like the rest of us.
Another “grand” idea by the Dems where we don’t belong …… only in Cali
WTF? I don’t have a pension! I have to fund my own retirement and wait on Medicare! This will end up at least partially funded bu taxes – you watch.
Ummm
Why does a MMA fighter need a guaranteed income? I’m sorry, I do not understand the basic premise.
If you want a guaranteed income, find a job that has a pension, and not one set up by the government. I don’t have a pension, but I do hope to collect some social security since I have been paying into it for 40 years … and I have a 401k and rental property.
Do other athletes get guarantee pension income? Think BJJ, football, etc …
First, I am shocked, utterly shocked, that our illustrious Senate and Assembly overwhelmingly voted for yet another mechanism of extracting gold from the private sector, under the guise of “helping” a group of people. Of course, all the revenue collected to seed the pension will undoubtedly make its way to the general fund. Sounds like another tax, in the form of a fee, or surcharge on tickets, with the promise that at retirement (at what, age 39?) these private company employees with be able to have state managed (tax payer funded) pensions.
They have a pension now? And all of us who work our butts off every day have a 401(k). These people are so misguided.
Of course they’re getting retirement……they are contributing to the forthcoming dystopia aka Hunger Games world we we all be living in.
I know kung fu
Finally! This has been what’s wrong with California.
:rollseyes:
California already has a Boxers Pension Fund. This bill creates a similar fund for MMA fighters. The bill was overwhelmingly approved with no opposition, so Republicans must have been on board with it. Perhaps they think it’s good for business, bringing more fights to California. The arguments for the Boxers Pension Fund pointed out that it’s an inherently dangerous profession with a high risk of injuries which can leave boxers destitute and permanently disabled. Providing a means for them to accumulate pension money is ultimately a benefit to taxpayers because fighters might otherwise end up living on government handouts after their careers end. A valid argument, I guess.
‘Bout time …
MMA is a helluva rough gig … try to go hard on a heavy bag for 3 3- minute rounds … then talk to me … anywho … happy Friday from the magical Kingdom of Cambodia … #GoGiants #HummmBaby #OrangeFriday
How about my pension?
Comments are closed.