• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is open through Nov. 6 Learn More
Law

Judge Allows Mammoth UFC Class-Action Case to Proceed

  • UFC vows to appeal judge’s decision to certify class of more than 2,000 current and former fighters.
  • Lawsuit was originally filed in December 2014
Dana White at the UFC 266 Weigh-Ins
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Nearly nine years after the lawsuit was initially filed against UFC, a federal judge granted certification of the antitrust case that covers more than 2,000 current and former fighters. 

U.S. District Court Judge Richard Franklin Boulware II wrote in the 80-page order Wednesday that lawyers for the plaintiffs “established” allegations of anticompetitive conduct by the UFC — which artificially kept fighter pay low — sufficiently to allow the class-action case to proceed. 

“We are extremely gratified that the court issued this opinion,” Eric L. Cramer, one of the plaintiffs’ attorneys, told Front Office Sports. “This is not the end of the fight.”

UFC vowed to appeal the decision in a statement. 

“This is just one step in a long legal process, and we are confident that the court will ultimately recognize that the claims outlined in this lawsuit are legally and factually meritless,”  said William A. Isaacson, UFC’s lead counsel in the case and partner at the firm Paul Weiss. “UFC’s own continued growth accompanied by the growth of other established MMA promoters and the prevalence of successful new market entrants all demonstrate the existence of a healthy and competitive MMA market which benefits athletes, promoters, and fans alike.”

The ruling covers fighters who competed in UFC events from December 2010 through June 2017. Boulware rejected the second class covering the usage of name, image, and likeness of fighters over the same period. 

“[The plaintiffs] are thrilled and excited,” said Cramer, a partner at Berger Montague. “They’re resolved to continue the fight. They brought this case in December 2014. Some of the fighters have been working on this their whole professional lives on this. They are eager to move forward and prove their case.”

Boulware wrote that the plaintiffs were able to establish allegations of UFC’s alleged anticompetitive conduct that included: 

  • Enforcing contracts that kept fighters “locked up” in an “anti-competitive manner.”
  • Making “extracontractual methods” that basically made fighter contracts “perpetual.”
  • UFC’s acquisition of competing leagues — some of which were shut down — to maintain dominance. 

Cung Le, the case’s lead plaintiff, fought in Strikeforce, one of the leagues purchased and later folded into UFC. Strikeforce was shuttered in January 2012 — less than a year after UFC acquired the MMA organization — and Le fought for the fourth and final time under the UFC banner in August 2014. 

“Our case challenges the UFC’s alleged abuses of market power to suppress fighter pay,” lawyers for the plaintiffs said in a statement. “We allege that because of its monopoly and monopoly abuses, the UFC pays its fighters only 20% of its event revenues when boxing and other major sports pay well above 50%. The men and women of the UFC who put their lives on the line for their sport deserve better, and we intend to achieve justice on their behalf.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Lululemon-Fanatics Collab With NHL Sees ‘Explosive’ First-Day Sales

The premium collection made up 80% of all NHL merch sales.
Feb 1, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CANADA; Team King defender Savannah Harmon (15) scores against Team Kloss goaltender Nicole Hensley (29) during the PWHL 3-on-3 Showcase during NHL All-Star Thursday at Scotiabank Arena.

PWHL Will Add Two Teams in Expansion Move

Possible new sites include Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Quebec City.

Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Team Fights for Title As Lawsuit Remains

Tyler Reddick won the Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Oct 20, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) walks off the field after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field.

Browns Sue Cleveland Over ‘Modell Law’ Threatening Suburban Dreams

The Browns want a new stadium, but a law forbids leaving downtown.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Surprising Start to MLB’s Offseason

0:00

Featured Today

Vanderbilt Commodores fans head to the south end zone as the goal post is taken down by exuberant fans after beating No. 1 Alabama 40-35 at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
opinion

Something New in College Football This Year: Parity

Upsets, surprises. CFB is more fun on the field than the NFL.
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves flanked by former Georgia Bulldogs player Herschel Walker, recording art Kid Rock, professional golfer John Daily, Alabama senators Tommy Tuberville (R) and Katie Britt (R) during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
November 1, 2024

Mission Swing State: College Football’s Political Advertising Battle

Trump, Harris, and the PACs that support them are utilizing the sport.
October 31, 2024

The Untapped Revenue ‘Powder Keg’ of Women’s NFL Fandom

There’s a “boatload” of money at stake for brands and the league.
Donald Trump holding a basketball in the White House
October 30, 2024

Mavericks Owner’s $100 Million Trump Donation Dwarfs All Other Sports Owner Political Giving

Dr. Miriam Adelson is one of the most powerful donors in U.S. politics.

Everything You Need to Know About the Kawhi Leonard Lawsuit

A longtime trainer of Leonard’s is suing the Clippers for wrongful termination.
Apr 3, 2022; Arlington, TX, USA; WWE owner Vince McMahon enters the arena during WrestleMania at AT&T Stadium.
October 23, 2024

Former WWE ‘Ring Boys’ Allege Vince McMahon ‘Allowed’ Sexual Abuse

The suit claims the WWE and the McMahons “failed these boys.”
Oct 22, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) and forward LeBron James (23) warm up before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena.
October 24, 2024

LeBron and Bronny James Target of Lawsuit Over 2022 Car Crash

They made history Tuesday as the NBA’s first father-son teammates.
Sponsored

World Series Delivers High-Demand Marquee Matchup

The hype around the World Series matchup drove ticket prices to record levels—but the Dodgers’ dominance quickly quieted the fervor.
Former UFC fighter Cung Le
October 23, 2024

Judge Allows Reworked $375 Million Settlement for UFC Fighters to Move Forward 

Hundreds of fighters could start to see six-figure payouts next year.
Feb 9, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; A DraftKings countdown clock on radio row at the Super Bowl LVII media center at the Phoenix Convention Center.
October 22, 2024

DraftKings, Former Exec Talk Settlement in Marathon Legal Battle

The case revolves around the enforcement of a one-year non-compete agreement.
October 18, 2024

Lawsuit Targets Illegal Prop and Pick ’Em Bets

PrizePicks paid $15 million to New York regulators for a similar reason.
Jun 25, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; NASCAR Cup Series 23XI Racing owner Michael Jordan on pit road during qualifying for the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway.
October 18, 2024

NASCAR: Michael Jordan Suit Using Discovery As ‘Weapon’ 

Jordan’s racing company is suing NASCAR over antitrust practices.