Dana White: The media’s in the bad news clickbait business, not the news business
The UFC released a video of president Dana White pointedly blistering critics of the league’s successful attempt to hold events…
The UFC released a video of president Dana White pointedly blistering critics of the league’s successful attempt to hold events during the COVID-19 global pandemic. The UFC has reportedly tested a total of 1,470 athletes, trainers, staff, and other personnel a cumulative total of 26,300 times; the 210 positive tests come out to a rate of less than one percent. That is by a multiple a lower rate than the USA as a whole.
“The media said I was risking people’s health to line my own pockets. I didn’t do this so I can make more money. I have plenty of money,” said White. “I did this so my fighters can make money and my employees can continue to make a living and feed their families.”
I’m not afraid of the media. Why should anybody listen to the media? Who are these people? What makes them experts? What have they ever accomplished? They criticize me for even trying to find a way forward because it’s easy to criticize from the sidelines when you risk nothing and do nothing. But we need to fight this thing. Step up. Instead of panicking, let’s find solutions.
The media are not in the news business. They’re in the clickbait business. They think negativity sells and gets clicks so that’s what they deliver. Negativity is their product. But I’m not going to let that stop us. Any time there’s great success, it’s surrounded by negativity, but here’s the reality – none of the media people know anything about this business.
“A lot of people did not want this to happen. But what we’re really good at is proving people wrong. That is what we do at the UFC.”
“Our events were successful in every way, shape, and form that an event can be successful. I’m proud of my crew. We pulled this thing off. That’s what we’ve always done and that’s what we’re going to continue to do.”