
David Paterson needs cash to run the state of New York. That’s probably why he’s introduced a bill as a part of his budget proposal that would lift a 13-year-old ban on MMA in the state. The bill would have to be passed by April 1 to be included in the proposal.
But this doesn’t mean you’ll see UFC at Madison Square Garden any time soon. A UFC rep said that it would take five to six months for the New York Athletic Commission to get up to speed. The governor’s proposal estimates that MMA would bring in $2.1 million for the state.
The problem with the bill is that Paterson is really grabbing UFC (and others) by the balls with the gate tax. The state would want 8.5% of gate receipts which is over twice the 4% cut that nearby Massachusetts takes. Still, it’s probably worth forking over the cash to put on a fight at MSG.
Tags: ban, budget, david paterson, madison square garden, mixed martial arts, MMA, new york, proposal, ufc
