This week we learned that Condom Depot has been banned by Zuffa as a fighter sponsor for the WEC and UFC. This ban of Condom Depot as a fighter sponsor is a step in the right direction for mixed martial arts becoming mainstream and stepping into the same league as the NFL.
I would like to state for the record that I feel the ban of lines such as RVCA and Clinch are simply ridiculous. The ban of those companies as sponsors in the UFC should not be seen as the same as the ban of Condom Depot and sadly this is what is happening. You must look at the bans individually and evaluate them on their own merits. How does this effect fighters? How will it help to shape the future of the sport? Will someone be able to fill the shoes of said sponsor? All of these must be answered before a decision can be made as to if the ban is good or bad for the sport.
Condom Depot is a company that has been supporting fighters for over two years now and according to CD’s Jennifer Amato they have provided fighters 100s of thousands of dollars directly. I think what they have done for fighters is very commendable and I would like to personally thank them for helping to support the sport I love.
Having said that, it is time the UFC and mixed martial arts in general starts to become more picky as to who they allow to sponsor fighters. Sure, one could argue that it is up to the fighter who he or she represents but it is up to promotions to make sure the sport is viewed in a positive light. This is hard to do when a sponsor like Condom Depot is seen on the backsides of fighters. It is like a joke that you are afraid to touch. My wife has even asked why any fighter would want that on their backsides. Sure, they get paid but many companies are now looking to get into this sport and I am sure a fighter can find someone other than condom depot. Even if it has to be an awful clothing company with $75.00 t-shirts.
If this trend is continued then how long will it be before we see something more risque on a fighters shorts?
The promoters should work with fighters and help to get them in contact with sponsors that represent the sport in a positive light. I am not saying safe sex is something negative. Although we do need to keep in mind where the UFC is headed. This coming year will see a UFC event in Abu Dhabi which is very conservative. I am sure the Zuffa brass are aware of that fact and how ads such as Condom Depot would be perceived there. I am also sure they are looking to put together a list of much larger sponsors which are more widely accepted.
One such company is Nike. I know that after UFC 102 “The Natural” Randy Couture (16-8) stated that he had a meeting with people from Nike and they were very excited to be entering into mma. They were talking to Randy about a sponsorship. Rumor is that Team Quest has been testing gear for Nike.
I know many fans will say it is ridiculous to have Nike in the Octagon but I feel this helps to legitimize the sport. I am personally not a fan of Nike but I am sure they will offer high quality gear to fighters and fans. A sponsorship deal by Nike would be huge for a fighter, much more so than a deal with Condom Depot.
There is also the chance we will see the UFC on a major network station this coming year. Cable company Comcast recently purchased NBC and with Comcast running Versus, I fully believe this is the start of the UFC getting it’s network deal. How often due we see condom commercials on prime time network tv? That is usually relegated to later time slots thus making the ban of Condom Depot even more understandable.
Even though this will momentarily hurt the income of some fighters, I feel they will be better compensated in the long run when we see larger companies move into the world of mixed martial arts. Companies that may not have been comfortable to having their logo next to Condom Depot. This ban makes sense when looking at the bigger picture. Many fans simply see “right now” and fail to see the future of the sport and what it takes to get mma into the mainstream once and for all.
I know that I will take some heat for my stance and some may even suggest I am on Dana’s payroll but I assure you I am not. I am simply a mixed martial arts radio host and journalist that feels mma is the best sport in the world. Thus, I constantly and looking towards the future and what it will take for mma to be seen by the masses in the same light as they see the NFL. Dana and Zuffa are heading in the right direction in my opinion.
Loading ...
hey there and thank you for your info – I have definitely picked
up something new from right here. I did however
expertise several technical points using this
website, as I experienced to reload the web site lots of times previous
to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK?
Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and could damage your quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Well I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for much more of your respective fascinating content. Ensure that you update this again very soon.
Also visit my webpage: seprince reviews
Its such as you read my thoughts! You seem to know a lot about
this, like you wrote the e-book in it or something. I feel that you
just can do with a few percent to pressure the message house a little
bit, but other than that, this is fantastic blog.
A fantastic read. I will definitely be back.
my web site: Allen
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an very long comment but after I
clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that
over again. Anyways, just wanted to say wonderful
blog!
My website: adventure time finn the human full episode
Superb, what a blog it is! This weblog provides valuable data
to us, keep it up.
My page … new girl full episodes free
Please let me know if you’re looking for a writer for your weblog. You have some really great articles and I feel I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
Please shoot me an email if interested. Kudos!
Visit my web blog: watch how i met your mother
Hey! ӏ’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the excellent work!
Feel free to surf to my blog post: amateur sex cams free
It’s amazing in support of me to have a site, which is helpful in favor of my experience. thanks admin
Also visit my website :: green coffee extract
You could certainly see your expertise in the work you write.
The sector hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how
they believe. At all times follow your heart.
Also visit my site green coffee Beans Extract
Great post. I will be going through a few of these issues as well.
.
Look into my web site :: consoladores
I was suggested this website by my cousin.
I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed
about my difficulty. You’re amazing! Thanks!
Also visit my website: green coffee extract side Effects
Appreciating the persistence you put into your blog and detailed information
you offer. It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t
the same old rehashed material. Great read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
My web page :: Reginald
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is
great blog. An excellent read. I will definitely be back.
my weblog: rabbit vibrators
I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s equally
educative and amusing, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something that too few folks are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy I found this during my search for something concerning this.
Here is my page :: my blog
@Reverend Turk Vangel
I get a kick out of 90% off these MMA boards. Heres the bottom line. You want to get your top dollar sponsors. Pay your athletes like professional athletes. DO NOT PAY THEM LIKE PART TIME PIKERS!
As Owner of CondomDepot.com, I became close with many of the guys I sponsored and believe me, sponsorship money that smaller companies like mine provide keeps them training and keeps their family fed. Its pretty damn hard to try to train for a “Career” in this sport when you have to work a 40 hour week AND train. For what some of these guys get paid, you do the math. You cant live on a purse of 5 or 10 grand! And these companies that put these bouts on are banking heavy. You think the guys fighting are seeing any trickle down?
Good Luck to you.
@Chris Shanks: Did you forget to take your meds today? Or, perhaps, take some that you shouldn’t have? I ask because I do not think I have ever read anything more fragmented and confused then your diatribre against another post(er) about which you seem to have understood very little. I wouldn’t characterise your post as “bullshit”. I would call it rambling psychosis. If you read this then let me add that I hope you have slept off whatever demons were attacking you at the time. I also recommend that you stay away from hallcinogenics and small children.
@Kevin Miller
I am so shocked about the bullshit that you are talking that I need to take a step back. So that is what I am going to do.
I want to make one thing very clear to you before we continue. I am not a christian and in many cases I protest against it. I have a question for you however Mr Miller, when has faith ever been an issue in the sport? why does this man’s religion have anything to do with the condom depot being banned as a sponsour?
Are you so stupid that you have to bring faith into the one place where it has not latched on to yet?
The Condom factory was banned because it was the choice of Zuffa. It is not up to us to say anything about what they decide to do, we cannot change anything, however much we think that we can. I don’t agree with it, fighters should have the best possible chance to make it in the sport because that leads to development. But what can you do?
Moving on to your next statement. I would like to inform you that the audiance of MMA is made up of 45% women. Now if you do the maths, to me that makes it nearly an even split.
You also have a growing women’s division in Strikeforce.
Why would you want to clean a combat sport up? Do you watch MMA for the blood and the guts, because I sure as hell don’t, I watch it to commend the men and WOMEN who are skilled in mant forms of mixed martial arts. On the strength of that statement Mr Miller I would be shocked if you knew anything technical about the sport.
I would also like to point out to you that Strikeforce can be seen on CBS on PRIME TIME shows. King of the Cage can also be seen 173 days of the year on many different networks.
Yeah Yeah, what you just heard there Mr Miller was areguement fall to bits. As far as the Burkas, WTF you pitiful self-obcessed man. Look into the wider world it is more complex than faith. You also talk about how faith shouldn’t be brought into the sport. Sorry but your whole response to this atricle has been centered around faith.
I hope that you read this, really I do.
The Condom Depot is a sex store. Lets not act like The UFC banned Trojan Condoms, they banned a company with sleezy ads, that sells just as many Vibrators as they do condoms. Sorry, I thought seeing The Condom Depot on fighters shorts was trashy and degrading to the sport. +1 for the UFC.
hi like im jr and im into muaythai and into training jiujitsu i dont drink at all whats up with mickeys and bud light how is that going to help my training . and when u go to the baseball park u see all the beer sponsers i dont like that all the kids are going to think thats cool, but u know what people its all about the money, money is power, sad but true
I bet they would accept sponsorship from Trojan or Lifestyles in 2 seconds… Is it only because “condom” is used in the name? I mean really?! We’re watching these guys beat each other sometimes into bloody pulps while sweatily manhandling each other and you think this sponsor is the issue on becoming mainstream? HA!
My views on religion have nothing do with my thoughts on the sport I love so much moving forward. I am an ordained Reverend, true. I do not preach at a church, nor do I attend church.
My views only reflect where I see the sport needs to be headed.
The NFL also has the ability to ban sponsors.
Man, I think just the opposite. Sports like baseball, football, basketball, etc. should be sponsored by companies like CondomDepot.com. Instead of, say, GoDaddy.com which basically uses half-naked women to sell domains (what? that’s weirder than using half-naked women to sell beer). So it’s okay to have sexually overt sponsors, but not sponsors that support safe sex, because it might offend conservatives? Really?
So the UFC is basically a monopoly and gets to bans sponsors and yet they’re not going to subsidize any money lost by the fighters from the ban. I could see banning them from a single event if it’s not going to work in Abu-Dabi, but everywhere?? That’s pretty lame and not fair to the under paid fighters.
This ban is totally insane. I agree with the other comments on this being a move in the WRONG direction. What are they afraid of? Condom Depot has been supporting the sport and fighters since nearly day one and now Dana White figures he can simply cut them out of the picture? Personally I believe banning Dana White from the sport would be a move in the right direction. He still believes he is bigger than the sport and seems to be getting worse with each passing day. He took UFC as far as he can but now it’s time for him to move on and get someone who cares more about the sport than simply themself. If he isn’t removed soon, I can not see the sport lasting and that would be disasterous for all the fans that enjoy it.
I agree with Mr. Vangel. This is a situation where dealing with short-term loss and difficulty can have superior long term effect. I know this is not ideal for fighters at all. Unfortunately, in business, you sometimes have to make sacrifices before you can make gains. I know this personally. The company I work for repurchased all its shares and re-privatized because shareholders would basically not allow for the losses required in the 3 year plan laid out for them. The company was privatized and we made the painful decisions. Once we went public again, shares were at all all time high, after three years of down revenue. The company is healthier than ever before. Moving “up” in the world of sponsors will help fighters in the long run. Brands like Nike, Reebok, etc . . . have lots more cash to hand out to fighters than Condom Depot. NBC, ABC, etc . . . have lots more money to offer than Spike TV. Fight pays can increase as UFC’s TV deals become more lucrative. It’s no comfort to fighters, especially considering how short term some of their UFC stints can be. But Mr. Vangel is correct. In the long term this is best for the entire sport, including fighters.
Dear Reverend,
Your thoughts on sponsorship are both archaic and completely biased by your narrow minded religious views. Who are you to cast judgement on a companies worthiness to sponsor a sporting event. MMA fighting is watched primarily by men, and most of them are not reverends. The first time I saw Condom Depot as a sponsor, I went to their website. It made sense to me and millions of others. Condoms are now a mainstream product wether you like it or not. Your comment on what was obviously Affliction as an “awful” clothing company was clearly based on your pompous religios views as well. Affliction is a wonderful clothing line with a great product. Sorry that they don’t carry the religious message that you were hoping for, But their rapid growth in the market tells us all that you are the moral minority on this issue.
MMA, like boxing, is fighting. Not a mainstream sport like football, basketball or baseball. So let’s not kid ourselves, your never going to see the prime time audience that these other sports enjoy. You can clean it up all you want, but it’s still a couple of guys beating the crap out of each other. Reverend, does it not bother you that we watch the fights to see blood being shed or a guy getting hit and knocked out cold?
Just like our government, we need to keep religious views out of our organized sports. Especially a sport like MMA. Next thing you know, the ring girls will be wearing burkas.
BOO. WHat kind of move in the right direction is it to take money away from these hard working fighters!?! what the hell, are we to damn sensitive that we cant bare to see CONDOM DEPOT on some shorts, who cares? Condoms are good incase people have forgotten. BAD MOVE by the UFC and its a step in the wrong direction.
Hopefully I do not offend anyone in my honesty when I say that whomever wrote this obviously has never been involved with professional fighters or MMA directly, as a fighter, manager, or the like. A move in the right direction? Any time professional fighters lose money, sponsorship funded training, etc. it is a travesty, period. Condom Depot provided HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of real, tangible dollars for fighters. Many of which will lose out on comped training, etc. due to the ban. How in the world could this be a step in the right direction? Are condoms not “main stream” enough? If not, shouldn’t they be? Did you know that this just happens to be AIDS awareness month? They can give out condoms at High Schools, but sponsoring professional fighters is bad? In my opinion, its articles and writers/fans like this that help keep the sport of MMA from progressing further. Bud Light can sponsor events, but god forbid a condom retailer from doing the same for fighters.