& you think UFC "owns" fighters

[FrankieNYC]

Imagine working for WWE as an "Independent Contractor"



Bobby Roode has used that name for fifteen years before ever going to WWE.
Now they own him (& others)
Until they get the status of "IC" turned over, UFC is pretty safe.

WWE getting away with "IC" status is BS.


@ThePeoplesMMA

 

[nanika]

the financial incentive to sign must be so far ahead of other pro wrestling orgs that they feel compelled to join the WWE while losing the rights to their "fake persona"

 

[Wanderlei Industries]

 

[Dave Poodle]

Yep, this has been long-term practice at WWE/F. You sign over all your trademarks to them permanently. A lot of blokes had to change the names of their character and trademark moves as well as catchphrases after leaving the company, even if they'd developed them over the years in other promotions.
In a lot of interviews Dana has spoken of how their business practices were inspired by Vincent K McMahon. One classic was the whole 'sign over your likeness for life' episode when they were threatening to fire Fitch, Koschek and their whole gym if they wouldn't "work with us".

I've long wondered how their contracts could possibly be Independent Contractor. UFC aren't even in the same ballpark.

 

[VulcanNervPinch]

the financial incentive to sign must be so far ahead of other pro wrestling orgs that they feel compelled to join the WWE while losing the rights to their "fake persona"

IOW, not a free, competitive market

 

[Dave Poodle]

the financial incentive to sign must be so far ahead of other pro wrestling orgs that they feel compelled to join the WWE while losing the rights to their "fake persona"

It sounds very similar to the situation between UFC and other MMA orgs. The incentive is better but not life changing. The talent is more being sold the opportunity to make it big in the big org and they'll make the huge money down the line which only turns out to be true for a select few.

 

[Les Vejtibals]

Consider the BLT market, if only for a moment.

Why is the B for Bacon first?! Lettuce and Tomato are just as integral to the sandwich, and more nutritious!

I may have gotten off base there a bit but my point was: Bisping sucks and should defend.

 

[Katsumi Yamada]

Bobby Roode is his real name so they can't own that name right?

 

[kibz]

BOBBY ROODE is not legally the same as Bobby Roode.

 

[Toco]

nice for WWE

 

[kibz]

Consider the BLT market, if only for a moment.

Why is the B for Bacon first?! Lettuce and Tomato are just as integral to the sandwich, and more nutritious!

I may have gotten off base there a bit but my point was: Bisping sucks and should defend.

......so BLT means Bisping Loses Title?

 

[nanika]

IOW, not a free, competitive market

it is a free market. there are tons of back yard, local and even regional pro wrestling orgs. there isnt enough market for multiple world/nation wide pro wrestling companies. WCW and others needed to be aquired by WWE because the demand while significant is not massive in scale.

 

[nanika]

Bobby Roode is his real name so they can't own that name right?

BOBBY ROODE is not legally the same as Bobby Roode.

his name is Robert... Roode.

 

[Ying Li]

Yeah but WWE pays. I don't see guys fighting for 8/8. Dennis Siver just fought BJ Penn for 50/50! After 10 years in the Org and nearly a title shot. UFC = U FIGHT CHEAP. I support the fighters not WME.

 

[Les Vejtibals]

......so BLT means Bisping Loses Title?

I hadn't actually considered that but yeah! Now, in retrospect, I am certain it does!

 

[Paradigm]

Bobby Roode is his real name so they can't own that name right?

Looks like he'll have to legally change his name if he leaves the WWE...must suck to deal with changing the names on all your already signed contracts, bills and whatnot.

His name sucks anyways so the WWE is doing him a favor in the end.

 

[campbecc]

Bobby Roode is his real name so they can't own that name right?

Not the name but maybe the character. I remember Comedy Central tried to claim they own the Stephen Colbert character from his show. I don't know how that played out though.

 

[FrankieNYC]

Yeah but WWE pays. I don't see guys fighting for 8/8. Dennis Siver just fought BJ Penn for 50/50! After 10 years in the Org and nearly a title shot. UFC = U FIGHT CHEAP. I support the fighters not WME.

WWE pays a lot less of a % of revenue than UFC does

 

[Katsumi Yamada]

Yeah but WWE pays. I don't see guys fighting for 8/8. Dennis Siver just fought BJ Penn for 50/50! After 10 years in the Org and nearly a title shot. UFC = U FIGHT CHEAP. I support the fighters not WME.

There are guys in WWE that are on TV 50 weeks of the year, and doing house shows. Maybe 200+ shows a year and less than $100k.

It's very hard work for that money, especially considering you need to train too.

 

[FrankieNYC]

There are guys in WWE that are on TV 50 weeks of the year, and doing house shows. Maybe 200+ shows a year and less than $100k.

It's very hard work for that money, especially considering you need to train too.

This
Plus WWE only pays 5-8% of total revenue for much harder/tougher sched/work & they cannot do anything outside of WWE without approval. No TV, films, commercials, ads, media, etc.
UFC guys are basically free 49-50 weeks a year to do what they want.

Of course UFC can pay more than 13% of revenue (2015) but UFC guys freedom is light-years ahead of contracted WWE performers.