Rep: Ouster of Silver could lead to MMA regulation
Assemblyman John Ceretto believes scumbag Sheldon Silver’s departure as speaker could be the ticket allowing the state legislature to vote on legalizing MMA.
Professional MMA is illegal in New York, and amateur MMA is legal but unregulated. Without regulation, fighters with HIV, hepatitis, and a host of other conditions that prevent them from being licensed anywhere in North America are fighting in New York. New York is the Last State or province in North America to not regulate the world’s fastest growing sport.
Four times, year after year, forward thinking politicians have tried to get the sport legal and regulated, but Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Silver never allowed the measures to come to the floor for a vote.. Now the witch is dead – Silver was arrested on federal corruption charges and is gone as speaker.
Assemblyman John Ceretto believes Silver’s departure as speaker could be the ticket allowing the state legislature to vote on legalizing MMA, which has broad bipartisan support in the Capitol.
Veteran reporter and political figure Tony Farina has the story.
Ceretto said legalization would bring over $5.2 million in economic activity to Western New York plus additional revenue to the state.
“A lot of progress has been made in Niagara Falls lately, but we are really missing a great opportunity by not allowing MMA events in the state,” said Ceretto in a statement. “New York is the only state where professional MMA events are not allowed, which only highlights how unreasonable the de facto ban on the sport is. If we had MMA events in Niagara Falls, it would be another way to draw tourists to the city to enjoy all the amenities we have to offer. Hopefully, with a new speaker, we can finally get this passed.”
As the ranking member of the Assembly’s Tourism, Arts, Parks, and Sports Development Committee, Ceretto has been a strong supporter of MMA in Albany but Silver has been a roadblock to progress on legalizing MMA.
Ceretto said he plans to use his position on the Tourism Committee to push legalizing MMA during upcoming budget hearings.
Advocates say state regulation would insure that safety precautions would be followed. Some proponents also believe the state would reap an additional $135 million in additional revenue from MMA events at major venues including Niagara Falls. New York has banned MMA events since 1997.