§ After Senate approved Sen. Griffo’s legislation 7 years in a row, Assembly finally votes in favor of regulating combative sports in NY
§ Now awaits approval by Governor, who has offered support for legalizing MMA
§ Would ensure safer competitions, allow athletes to compete in home state and provide economic boost for communities that host events
Sen. Joseph Griffo announced last week that the state Assembly has finally joined the Senate in voting to legalize mixed martial arts in New York state.
For the past seven years, Senator Griffo has continuously sponsored legislation to allow New York MMA fighters the privilege of competing professionally in their own home state, with the same strict safety guidelines that regulate other professional sports.
While the State Senate has repeatedly voted each of those years to approve Senator Griffo’s bill (S5949A), the Assembly has never taken up the bill in the past. But with overwhelming support this year, the Assembly finally did the right thing in allowing its members to vote their conscience, Griffo said.
“It took us seven years, but now New York State can finally make these competitive fighters proud by showing that we never gave up until they were allowed to compete in their own home state,” said Griffo, R-Rome. “I am proud to have led the charge in the Senate from the start to lift the statewide ban on professional mixed martial arts, and I thank the Assembly for finally joining us in this fight.”
This legislation now must be approved by the Governor, who has already expressed his support for legalizing MMA in his proposed budget earlier this year. By allowing professional MMA competitions in the state, a 2013 economic impact study estimated that these events could provide an economic boost of $135 million each year: $68 million annually from these events, including $33 million generated in upstate cities alone, along with MMA training centers that could generate an added $67 million each year from their operations.
Most importantly, however, Senator Griffo noted that this legislation would ensure greater safety measures for combative fighters in NY by providing the same oversight as other professional sports through the New York State Athletic Commission.
The bill also includes a number of provisions regarding the health, safety and financial welfare of the participants in combative sports, as well as their spectators.
“As this competitive fighting continues to grow in popularity all across North America, it made absolutely no sense to maintain New York’s status as the only state that bans professional MMA,” Griffo added. “Fans could watch it anytime on TV or attend the events in other states, and our own up-and-coming fighters would be limited to amateur competitions in New York that did not always guarantee the safest conditions for athletes and spectators. These athletes and their fans deserve better in New York, and I’m glad we can finally give them that opportunity.”
Griffo also thanked Assemblyman Joseph Morelle, D-Irondequoit, for his persistence as companion sponsor in bringing this bill to the Assembly for its long-awaited vote.
“This long-standing ban served no purpose but to put New York at a disadvantage on every level in the MMA arena – athletes were deprived of the honor and safety they deserved, fans were deprived of the enjoyment they demanded and communities were deprived of the economic benefit that would come from hosting these events,” Senator Griffo said. “I commend Assemblyman Morelle for recognizing how important this opportunity is to our state and its dedicated fighters, and I thank him for his support in leading this bill through the legislative process.”
Tenney: MMA legalization overdue
Assemblywoman says MMA should have been passed years ago
Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney (R,C-New Hartford) supported today’s vote in the state Assembly to legalize MMA in New York. The vote is a major milestone for the sport, its competitors and supporters following a 19-year ban and seven years of the state Assembly refusing to join the state Senate in voting to legalize it.
“Legislation that would legalize MMA was repeatedly blocked by former Speaker Sheldon Silver,” said Tenney. “Silver used his centralized power to block this legislation for a vote despite overwhelming support for MMA from both sides of the aisle. This bill has broad, bipartisan support within the Assembly and today’s vote puts New York up to speed with the rest of the country.
“With the legalization of mixed-martial arts, the unsafe reputation the sport has acquired will finally be put to rest,” said Tenney. “We will now be able to regulate this sport so our kids can safely practice it and learn proper technique. Additionally, the economic potential from the legalization would be felt state-wide. The state Senate has passed this legislation multiple times and I am thankful the Assembly has decided to provide the people what they’ve wanted for years.”
It is estimated that legalization of the sport would have an estimated $135 million impact on the state. The sport would be closely regulated to ensure the safety of athletes. New York is the last state to legalize MMA.