Adam Swift has a great piece on labor efforts to keep MMA out of New York. It is pretty clear at this point that despite public denials, labor issues in Nevada are at the heart of the legalization fight in New York:
The UFC has chosen to ignore the labor angle in its public efforts thus far, perhaps hoping to avoid confronting the issue all together, but has it becomes increasingly clear that its opponents are more committed than previously believed to delaying/defeating the legalization of MMA in New York. As this reality becomes clearer, the time is coming when the UFC may need to call a spade a spade. The current strategy is allowing the opposition to drive the debate without exposing their true motives which gives their arguments undeserved credibility.
He also cites the following information on the “poll” cited by Bob Reilly:
Gramercy Communications is a communications firm based in Downtown Albany that specializes in public relations, marketing, and public affairs. Founder & Principal Tom Nardacci earned his master’s degree in strategic communications from Columbia University, and his bachelor’s in history from Syracuse University.
Tom has over a decade of experience as a public relations strategist, senior public affairs advisor and communications manager.
Tom previously directed public relations for the Alliance for Downtown New York, lower Manhattan’s business improvement district, and he formerly managed communications and organizing for the 40,000 member retiree division of 1199 SEIU, New York State’s largest private sector labor union. Tom has served in leadership and consulting roles on dozens of federal, state and regional political campaigns, including as a field coordinator in Iowa for a United States Presidential Candidate.
Adam suggested making the union angle public. I’d be interested to hear if readers here think that would be a wise move, or if the UFC should keep fighting that battle in the shadows.