Story on the UFC's banning of Affliction

The UFC's ban of Affliction is one of the most interesting and perhaps under-appreciated stories of recent months in MMA. The brand is one of the most coveted and lucrative sponsors in the industry with a who's who of MMA on its sponsorship roster including Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, Quinton Jackson, George St. Pierre, and Sean Sherk to name a few. Through royalties from signature shirt sales its sponsored fighters stand to make several hundred thousand dollars per year.

The root of the ban has been the subject of much speculation inside the industry. Last week Dana White offered his explanation of the ban. "I never had a problem with Affliction clothing until they took a picture of Couture and Fedor with no Affliction shirts on, but it looks like a fight poster," White told The Canadian Press. While the ban was inevitable once Affliction's promotional aspirations were revealed, MMAPayout.com has learned that the ban originally stemmed from Affliction's relationship, or at least perceived relationship, with Couture.

The UFC responded to Couture's resignation last fall by enacting a ban on all things Couture. This meant no mention of Couture on UFC broadcasts, no camera shots of Couture cornering fighters, and no Xtreme Couture apparel in the octagon as of UFC 78. The ban affected not only Couture himself, but also a number of fighters sponsored by his brand. The company went so far as to force Wanderlei Silva to move his training from Xtreme Couture for the filming of his All Access Special.

Eight days before UFC 79 the ban was suddenly and unexpectedly extended to include Affliction. The ban was apparently the result of the UFC's belief that Couture was a part owner of Affliction, a common misconception. While Couture and Affliction are co-owners of the Xtreme Couture mark, Couture has no ownership interest in Affliction.

The immediate victim of the decision was St. Pierre who, after wearing Xtreme Couture in August, was scheduled to wear signature Affliction apparel at the event. However, it was Karo Parsiyan, not St. Pierre, who forcefully raised the issue with Joe Silva, Vice President of Talent Relations at the UFC.

Parisyan placed what has been described to MMAPayout.com as a heated phone call to Silva after hearing about the ban. Silva was unaware of the ban, but understood the actual nature of Couture's relationship with the company. He was ultimately able to get the ban reversed after explaining the situation to White. St. Pierre entered the octagon on December 29th in full Affliction regalia.

However, the reprieve was short lived. On January 18, Affliction staged the now infamous photo shoot featuring Couture and Emelianenko in the shirtless stare down referenced by White. Affliction hasn't been seen on a UFC broadcast since.

The company's control of the fighter's "commercial identification" is addressed by three clauses in the standard Zuffa contract:

Fighter covenants and agrees that no wording, symbols, pictures, designs, names or other advertising or informational material (i) for any beer, alcohol, beverage company, tobacco, casino or gaming company, media company (including, but not limited to, HBO, ABC, SET, FOX, ESPN and any Internet related company); (ii) of any sponsor in conflict or competition with ZUFFA or any of ZUFFA’s sponsors; (iii) of any sponsor causing injury to the reputation of ZUFFA or ZUFFA’s sponsors and/or their respective officers and owners; or (iv) which has not been pre-approved in writing by ZUFFA and iN DEMAND, L.L.C. shall appear on the trunks, robe, shoes, regalia or any other part of the costume or the body (including by use of temporary or henna tattoos) of Fighter or any of Fighter’s Affiliates during or at any Bouts, Pre-Bout Events or Post-Bout Events.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, ZUFFA shall have the right to include any advertising or other informational material of ZUFFA, ZUFFA’s sponsors or other entities designated by ZUFFA on the trunks, robe, shoes, regalia or any other part of the costume of Fighter or any of Fighter’s Affiliates during or at any Bouts, Pre-Bout Events or Post-Bout Events.

For television purposes, Fighter must be clearly distinguishable. Therefore, Fighter shall provide one (1) pair of dark-colored trunks and one (1) pair of light-colored trunks for each Bout. If it is necessary to distinguish Fighter from his opponent, ZUFFA shall have sole discretion to require Fighter to wear either the dark-colored or light-colored trunks.

At first blush this control might seem unjustified, but upon further consideration it makes perfect sense to a degree. It is obvious that for most companies sponsoring a fighter is merely a means to ride the UFC's marketing coattails. As a result, it is more than reasonable for the company to seek to exercise some control over which brands it allows into the octagon and the company has generally been very judicious in its use of the power.

However, their are those in the industry who believe that fighters should be given some financial consideration in the event a sponsorship is blocked, particularly if it was approved when the deal was signed. This is an issue, along with other ancillary rights, worth keeping an eye on as the sport continues to grow, sponsorships become more lucrative, and promotional opportunities more plentiful.

http://www.mmapayout.com/

sounds like Zuffa

MMA Payout is a joke. A HUGE joke.

The UFC banned Affliction, because Affliction was fucking around trying to talk UFC fighters into signing with them behind the scenes for a new org that this t-shirt company was planning.

Affliction got Affliction banned.

 Typical

EvilMaster - MMA Payout is a joke. A HUGE joke.

The UFC banned Affliction, because Affliction was fucking around trying to talk UFC fighters into signing with them behind the scenes for a new org that this t-shirt company was planning.

Affliction got Affliction banned.


 That could be. But to be fair, if they said straight up that they were going to start an org, the UFC would ban their clothes anyway.

No.

Fighters/Sponsors get too caught up in what they wear in the ring. If that's the only way you can make your sponsorship work then you're screwed anyway.

You don't see Lebron James wearing Hubba Bubba or Cannondale on his shorts when he plays in a game. Sponsorship is more about what you do outside of the cage/ring than wearing a logo during a fight.

erikcharles - Fighters/Sponsors get too caught up in what they wear in the ring. If that's the only way you can make your sponsorship work then you're screwed anyway.


You don't see Lebron James wearing Hubba Bubba or Cannondale on his shorts when he plays in a game. Sponsorship is more about what you do outside of the cage/ring than wearing a logo during a fight.



This is a very good point. Except that sponsorships in this sport are still young. Fighter exposure outside the ring is very limited still in MMA, so the televised fights have been the sole opportunity for fighters to make sponsorship money, for the most part.

Still, both Cotto and Margarito were wearing Affliction gear before and after their boxing matches. So, maybe there's a balance to be had.

That all being said, I agree with Irule. The clothes are lame and I'd rather see fighters get some cooler sponsors anyway.

FrankieBitchTits - Affliction won't last as an Org... or a t-shirt company.


If they team up with Golden Boy long term, they will make it. Those boys know how to promote an event.

FrankieBitchTits - Affliction won't last as an Org... or a t-shirt company.
 

Shit, as much as they charge for em, and as many people as I see wearing them, they won't have to last. Churn and Burn.

If I was a very young fighter or an older one who had nothing left to prove I would sign w/every upstart for ridiculous money up front, wait for them to fold, and move onto the next one. How much money has Fedor made by not fighting?

Hot Tomato - It's already common knowledge the Golden Boy walked away from Affliction.



I heard the same thing. I thought it would be a very weird combination to begin with

Im wearing an Affliction shirt at work so im getting a kick out of these replies...

FrankieBitchTits - working the ghey bar?


umm no...

ttt for fighters not getting paid. great work blaf! those over paid hacks can easily work a side job while training for fights.

rabbivj - 
FrankieBitchTits - working the ghey bar?




umm no...


The bar for lemmings with no taste in clothing?

iclimb513 -
rabbivj -
FrankieBitchTits - working the ghey bar?




umm no...


The bar for lemmings with no taste in clothing?


LOL thats funny...

EvilMaster - MMA Payout is a joke. A HUGE joke.


The UFC banned Affliction, because Affliction was fucking around trying to talk UFC fighters into signing with them behind the scenes for a new org that this t-shirt company was planning.


Affliction got Affliction banned.


-------------

Yep. They have a plan B, though;) Based on the hot mess they made the first time around, I wonder if their second attempt will be any different. What say you, EM?


Cindy

EvilMaster - MMA Payout is a joke. A HUGE joke.


The UFC banned Affliction, because Affliction was fucking around trying to talk UFC fighters into signing with them behind the scenes for a new org that this t-shirt company was planning.


Affliction got Affliction banned.


NAILED IT!...This is what i heard from VERY credible sources also, Affliction fucked themselves!

Afflication will fail just like Xyience.