MMA: Expletive Deleted
Written by playerpress.com, Friday April 03 2009
UFC President Dana White cursed out a female reporter and said some nasty stuff that offends people. In the aftershock of the moment he offered an apology to anyone he offended. Should we feel offended by his comments? On the surface it is easy to say of course we should. We’re all decent people who feel sensitivity for all; even those who are different from us. But, let’s be truthful about this. White presides over a league of badasses who know you have to be tough to succeed at what they do.
Loretta Hunt, the reporter who raised the ire of White, stepped on sacred ground. White has been largely responsible for the upswing of UFC fortune. He took fighters from deserted gyms, closed bars, and back alleys. He took UFC from a Fight Club scenario and put it in a money making octagon. White has certainly reaped the benefits, but so has everyone who makes a paycheck on a UFC event.
Hunt made allegations that White was denying access to managers and agents. In short, she implied that White was putting the squeeze on these guys to direct the cash flow in his direction. White claimed her information was wrong and questioned her sources. The problem, if one exists, is that he did it his way. Yes, he did drop the F-bomb several times and he did refer to her in terms that would be considered unflattering to a female. However, I have seen the word “bitch” used in book titles, calendars and on T-shirts. The genitalia reference is usually a red flag to any woman, but again, he was accused of something that offended him.
The bomb with an impact bigger than the F-, B-, or C- word was the slur used against gay men. You may remember that Ozzie Guillen ran afoul of the PC brigade when he used that word when ranting against a reporter. In both instances I don’t feel the word had anything to do with gays and lesbians. It’s a fighting word you use when you want to get under the other guys skin. It is the incendiary word you use to provoke the altercation knowing your adversary must face up, or walk away a humbled and lessened man.
Is it macho and perceived by the PC elite to be wrong? Damn right it is. So, let’s remember that Dana White is the President of the UFC. He is not Gary Bettman, Bud Selig, or any other suit wearing commissioner. He draws his pay riding herd over a sport where you can get kicked in the head and still subjected to further punishment.
Interestingly, many feel that in the long run the UFC will be hurt by sponsors who may have considered coming aboard, but will back off after White’s infamous tirade. The UFC is doing just fine as it is. It is growing in popularity and its merchandising is prevalent. Does it need, or want to go commercial? Last night I watched the NBA on TNT and had to sit through an annoying Heineken commercial where a bunch of women scream over a designer closet while their husbands scream over a walk in beer cooler. It was offensive and ran at least five times during the telecast. Does UFC need that kind of crap? Do we want to see the UFC pre fight show brought to you by AT&T?
I would rather go blind than see UFC highlights being narrated by Stuart Scott. UFC is a sport of alternative and underground tastes and should remain that way. While many fear that White has driven main line sponsors away, I’m glad to see them flee. Continue to say what you mean, Dana White, and if you piss off some people, they probably aren’t ready for your sport anyway.
Photo Credit: Josh Holmberg / Icon SMI
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