White: Deal a homerun for Reebok
UFC president Dana White on The Reebok Deal: “But let me tell you – this has been an absolute home run for Reebok. Home run for them.”
The UFC-Reebok Deal came under harsh criticism last week, when the vast majority of all kits temporarily disappeared, Tim Kennedy voiced harsh criticism of the entire deal generally and the Weidman American flag shoes specifically, and a map of “Ireland” left out Northern Ireland on a UFN Ireland tee.
However, in an interview with Gareth A Davies for The Telegraph, White forcefully defended the deal.
“The backlash to Reebok was ridiculous but everybody thinks they know all about this s— and they have all the answers,” said White. “But let me tell you – this has been an absolute home run for Reebok. Home run for them.”
“This has just come out and Reebok and the UFC are just figuring this thing out. There has been some bumps along the way, which is absolutely normal in a business like this which has never been done before, both on our side and on Reebok’s side. But I will tell you this – it is very successful for Reebok.”
Davies spoke with top Reebok execs, and apparently a “huge drive” is coming around UFC 200 next summer.
A snippet of an interview with Irish UFC strawweight Aisling Daly cast the brand in better light, and hopefully is a sign of the future.
“I was looking at my Reebok tracksuit on the way in to the arena, thinking ‘I’m here,'” said Aisling. “A few years ago, Dana White said there would never be women fighting in the UFC. I’ve come from nowhere, and it just feels incredible. It was very emotional.”