UFC set to part ways with sponsors Reebok. Their current contract with the apparel giant lasts until the end of 2020, following which the promotion may look for other sponsors.
The sponsorship contract between the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Reebok has been a bone of contention among the fighters for quite some time. However, the unpopular partnership may very well come to an end come 2021.
Also read: Jon Jones challenges Dana White to release him from his UFC contract
UFC and Reebok signed an exclusive deal back in 2014 worth $70 million. The decision was welcomed by the fighters at first. However, it soon became apparent that the deal restricted their own sponsorship contracts.
They were no longer allowed to feature their sponsor logos during UFC fight week events, including fight night, UFC-produced content or other official UFC events. Fighters were also prohibited from showcasing outside logos on banners inside of the Octagon. This led to much resentment.
UFC set to part ways with sponsors Reebok
Much to the fighters’ delight, reports suggest that UFC’s partnership with Reebok will not be renewed. According to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, UFC president Dana White revealed that the deal with Reebok is due to expire after 2020 during a recent interview with ESPN’s Dan Le Batard.
White went on to suggest that the promotion was already talking to other companies regarding the position of their official sponsor. Helwani did add that he has heard the same and wouldn’t be surprised if the two sides part ways.
In an interview w/ @LeBatardShow earlier today, Dana White said the Reebok deal is coming to an end, he thinks, at the end of this year, & that they are talking to companies about a new deal.
I’ve heard the same. At the moment, wouldn’t be surprised if the two sides part ways.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 29, 2020
However, it remains unclear whether the fighters will be allowed to have their own sponsors.
When asked if fighters will be allowed to have sponsors in the cage again, his response was, “The fighters get paid. The fighters get paid for whatever sponsor we have, they get a piece of that. And they can have whatever sponsors they want outside the cage.”
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 29, 2020
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