Massachusetts legislators smell gold in what some critics refer to as a blood sport. The state senate recently passed a bill (34-1) that would regulate Mixed Martial Arts events more popularly known as 'Ultimate Fighting' And they of course, want a piece of the action.
UFC 101 sold out in Philadelphia last week--a notoriously loyal boxing city--drawing 17,411 spectators for a total gate of $3.55 million.
UFC President Dana White, a Connecticut resident but former Boston area gym rat and avowed Red Sex fan, is already talking about a UFC promotion at Fenway Park next year where upwards of 40,000 could be seated or possibly twice the total gate of the recent Philly event.
The state would get a 4% tax on total ticket sales and an additional 2% tax on TV revenues (capped at $75,000.)
Massachusetts lately has been getting more aggressive about regulating commercial physical activities: from Personal Trainers at health clubs to massage therapy licenses and now martial arts.
While I'm a BIG fan of President Reagan's small-government-is-good government paradigm, I still think when it comes to health and safety a little government regulation is a good thing.
The smoking ban in the workplace, legalizing abortion, and probably someday the marketing of marijuana, just to name a few.
9 comments:
who cares.
Obviously 34 State Senators. Nitwit.
When it comes to the guv'mint telling us how to live, that's ok.
Regulate a sport where people kick each other in the head? Good idea!
Anybody notice that American culture just keeps getting coarser?
Now those epic films about ancient Rome with people brutalizing each other in front of huge roaring crowds have a certain resonance.
Yeah, the Roman elite knew how to distract the common folk from rising unemployment, far off wars and lousy health care.
Too bad they did not have an EPA or OSHA to warn them about lead-lined pottery jars for fermenting wine.
Actually I didn't spend an hour and 53 minutes and 40 seconds on the "stupid trains" upload.
All those locations are on my normal bike route (And I write pretty quickly)
Although I admit to being a "pawn"--but only to my daughters.
I watched it.
it is sickening.
The loonies are out there.
And they seem to be getting more coverage than ever.
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