One of the biggest story lines going into and leaving the latest Strikeforce card was whether or not the promotion’s fighters were being properly compensated. At the pre-fight press conference, Tim Kennedy spoke out vehemently about the lack of attention the event and Strikeforce itself was receiving. Kennedy referenced an almost complete lack of media attention at the press conference and, more importantly, the lack of sponsorship offers he received.
Kennedy isn’t alone on the issue,either. After his decision victory over Robbie Lawlor, Lorenz Larking literally dropped to his knees to beg Strikeforce to reward their fighters with bonuses like the UFC does at each event. Today, it appears another well-known Strikeforce fighter has been having the same issue as Kennedy in attracting sponsors.
Miesha Tate released a request for sponsors via Twitter:
The problem of fighter pay for Strikeforce fighters is further compounded now that we’ve learned that they cannot transfer to the UFC at all, even when their contracts expire. So, not only are these fighters struggling enough that they feel the need to publicly announce it on a national broadcast, they’re also restricted from rising to the most lucrative promotion in the business.
The lack of sponsorship is a huge issue concerning fighter pay, especially in a promotion like Strikeforce who only puts on 8 events a year now and cannot guarantee each fighter on their roster two fights a year. That means these fighters are relying on 1 or 2 big paydays to sustain them through the entire year. If a fighter suffers an untimely injury or is forced from a fight for another reason, they won’t be able to collect that paycheck.
SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman