Vitor’s wife: FIghter has lost ‘millions’ due to Reebok Deal
“Vitor has lost millions for years because of the new sponsorship policy. Thank God he is an athlete whose reach goes beyond the cage and he has other businesses.”
Joana Prado is both manager and wife of UFC middleweight Vitor Belfort. In a recent interview with ESPN Brazil, she said the Reebok deal cost “The Phenom” millions. The interview came on the heels of the Brazilian marketing agency 9ine Sports cutting ties with UFC fighters, explicitly citing the Reebok deal.
We announce that, from this date, 9ine Sports & Entertainment withdraws from any negotiations involving the UFC, its events or fighters,” read the statement. “The agency does not believe in the new model adopted by the company in attracting sponsorship and believes that this directly hurts all athletes from the organization, and also the companies that supported and backed the UFC for many years.
“The history between 9ine and UFC is old. We were the first sports and entertainment marketing agency to dive right into projects proposed by the company. We were also pioneers while working the image of fighters like Anderson Silva, Junior dos Santos and most recently Vitor Belfort. All champions and references in their categories.
“But not only from business becomes a big company. We have principles based on the vision of a former athlete and sports fan. Our president, Ronaldo Nazario, does not tolerate seeing an organization change its sponsorship funding rules and fighter remuneration – arbitrarily – without taking a stand.
“Therefore, 9ine leaves the ‘UFC business’ while taking a stand as to what we believe is unfair to athletes, true warriors who make a living with MMA. To them, we wish every success and wisdom to deal with the difficulties that lie ahead.
Prado expressed similar sentiments, from the fighter side.
“As a business woman, I understand why 9ine cut ties with the UFC,” she said, as transcribed by Lucas Rezende for BE. “Vitor has lost millions for years because of the new sponsorship policy. Thank God he is an athlete whose reach goes beyond the cage and he has other businesses. Fighting has become a hobby, but he was harmed much like the other fighters with this new business model. We have a great relationship with Ronaldo (9ine’s owner) and all the 9ine crew. We wish them success.”
It is not clear if Prado was referring to millions of US dollars or millions of Brazilian Reals. However, at an exchange rate of nearly four Reals to the US dollar, even in Reals it could be close to a million US dollars.
Belfort is coming off a head kick TKO win over Dan Henderson at UFC Fight Night 77 last weekend; it was his second in as many fights.