Today the British Columbia Government introduced Legislation (Bill 50) to form an Athletic Commission to regulate professional combat sports – Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Boxing, Kickboxing, etc. – in the Province of BC.
After years of working with various stakeholders including Athletic Commissions, all levels of Governments, media, fans, combat sports companies, etc this is a welcomed move.
In October 2010 I said in a 24 Hours interview: “I think it’s [the formation of a Provincial Athletic Commission] going to happen within two years. Promoters want to be professional, and to do it they have to pay the taxes, fees and have protection from the government.”
This Legislation replaces local commissions with a single Provincial body; ensures participant safety is paramount; codifies and unifies the rules of the sports; and has consistency with fees, taxes, etc.
A Provincial Athletic Commission under the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development will allow large scale MMA organizations like Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to work with a professionally run Commission who are not held to the moral whims of unelected staffers (*cough* City of Vancouver *cough*).
STORY CONTINUES TO DEVELOP – UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY
On May 31, 2012, the Bill passed the BC Legislature to become law!
Read BILL 50 — 2012 ATHLETIC COMMISSIONER ACT
Dave Teixeira Discusses Bill 50 with The Score’s Mauro Ranallo
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UFC’s Marc Ratner Discusses Bill 50 (and more!) with The Score’s Mauro Ranallo
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Vancouver Athletic Commission member and lawyer Jonathan Tweedale is happy the province has stepped up.
“It’s been a long time coming,” he told me. “This is a great development for MMA in the province. The ones who will benefit the most will be the fighters themselves, who will be protected by better (and more consistent) regulation.”
Looking at the figures from the first two events held in Vancouver, UFC 115 had a reported gate of $4.2 million and UFC 131 did $2.8 million. So 5% of would be $210,000 and $140,000 respectively. Plus the various fees for the event, licenses, etc. Now…imagine a HUGE event at BC Place and those figure would be two to three times higher.
Copy of News Release from the Government of BC:
Athletic Commissioner Act introduced in the House
VICTORIA – The Province is taking steps to establish a Provincial Athletic Commissioner, who would regulate and supervise professional contests such as boxing, kick-boxing and mixed martial arts.
Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Ida Chong introduced Bill 50 – Athletic Commissioner Act – in the legislature today
The proposed act would establish a consistent framework to oversee the conduct of these professional events throughout the province. This legislation would not apply to amateur contests.
The commissioner’s primary focus would be to ensure the safety of competitors and officials.
If local governments do not want such contests to take place in their communities, they would be able to prohibit these events by passing a bylaw.
Quotes:
Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development –
“The benefit of having a provincial athletic commissioner would be that every professional contest would be subject to the same rules and regulations, whether it was being held in Vancouver, Nanaimo or Vernon.”
“Since sports such as kick-boxing and mixed martial arts are very popular and are taking place without a consistent regulatory framework, it makes sense to be proactive about creating this position to increase the safety of athletes and officials, as well as to provide certainty for communities and the industry.”
Quick Facts:
- The role of the commissioner would be to oversee the conduct of professional contests such as boxing, kick-boxing and mixed martial arts throughout the province, with a key focus on the safety of competitors and officials.
- The key duties of the commissioner would be to:
- Ensure a consistent standard of qualifications and safety protocols for all participants and officials through a uniform licensing and permitting framework.
- Ensure compliance with the proposed act and its regulations, through the use of suspension or cancellation of licences and event permits, as well as administrative penalties.
- The Community Charter and the Vancouver Charter now provide for the establishment of local athletic commissions to authorize public events. Such athletic commissions may regulate professional boxing and similar activities, contests and exhibitions.
- At least nine B.C. municipalities currently have athletic commissions. If the Province establishes an athletic commissioner, both the Community Charter and Vancouver Charter will be amended to remove the authority to create local commissions.
| Contact: | Jeff Rud Communications Director Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development 250 208-4028 |
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Dave, for almost fifty years the Vancouver Athletic Commission, as well as other Commissions, have been petitioning for a Provincial Athletic Commission without any success. Two years ago while the other Commissioners were getting pictures taken with Dana White I was next door begging for Tom Wright’s help. And the UFC was very instrumental in making a Provincial Commission(er) possible. But not many people know all the things you did to make it happen, even before the time you single handedly saved MMA at that Union of British Columbia Municipalities meeting. Most people don’t know, but I know, and I want to thank you. Let’s just keep Dave Rudberg out of that chair, ok?