First some personal news, I presented at the Sports and Recreation Law Association Conference this week on Tort Liability on the Field and in the Cage. My presentation focused on the Mark Hunt case and its appeal to the Ninth Circuit. The specific issue I focused in on was whether there could be a finding of tort liability (i.e., battery) on the part of Brock Lesnar for using steroids and fighting Mark Hunt. I will post a video next week as well as more information. Stay tuned.
Triller, the social media platform, is disrupting the boxing industry as it went over the top in winning a purse bid to put on Teofimo Lopez’s next title defense. Lopez last defeated Vasyl Lomachenko to retain his IBF lightweight title as well as unifying the WBA, WBO and The Ring lightweight titles. He now defends his title against George Kamosos. However, Triller outbid Matchroom Boxing and Top Rank to obtain the rights to the fight. There have been rumors that the fight will be a part of the Jake Paul-Ben Askren event this spring in Atlanta.
The win by Triller shows that the company means business in the boxing space as it is thriving with a young demo. It also is a sign that the free market can be beneficial for fighters. The $6M bid will be split between the two fighters with a percentage going to their requisite promoters. Lopez is promoted by Top Rank and Kamosos is repped by Lou DiBella. But, both will be receiving the highest paydays of their career thus far.
One might suspect that this will be on PPV which may mean higher paydays for both boxers.
The UFC announced a media deal in China with Migu which would build upon its footprint in the country. The deal reflects the investment it has made in the country (i.e., building a Performance Institute) and the strength of the company’s brand. Certainly, a company like One Championship would have like to have a deal similar to the UFC, but one has to think that the brand awareness in China is much stronger than the Singapore-based company. The deal will include content for Migu’s app which will focus on health and fitness.
A trademark issue may be on the horizon as the UFC has requested that City Kickboxing, the gym which Israel Adesanya among others train at, remove the New Zealand Silver Fern from its uniforms. Notably, the trademark holder says they were not the ones attempting to enforce the mark, yet, the UFC does not want them to wear it. Adesanya goes for the light heavyweight title March 6th attempting to be a two-time belt holder.
The XFL lawsuit between Vince McMahon and Oliver Luck is heating up. In Amended Counterclaims filed last week McMahon alleged that Luck sent confidential information to his brother-in-law who works for sports agency Wasserman. If true, this could be damning evidence against the former commissioner.