I was perusing MMA news today and found quite an interesting nugget. Time magazine released its Most Influential People for 2010 and Mr. Dana White cracked the list. Not only was it surprising to see him recognized by mainstream media, the amazing part was that reader voting placed him above President Obama and Lady Gaga in his power to influence.
Quite the compliment. While it’s a bit much to put White above the leader of the free world (come on!), it’s not too surprising to see White acknowledged as an influential person. After all, he’s an expert at getting not just the UFC, but all of mixed martial arts noticed.
Ten years ago, MMA was written off as barbaric, glorified WWE wrestling or, as the worst expression goes, “human cockfighting.” Now, we’re seeing more and more states and provinces sanction it, we’re seeing it break into mainstream network television (CBS) and it’s receiving the same type of respect as combat sports like boxing.
Though not always directly, Dana White is largely responsible for what MMA is today. The face of the UFC changed when the Fertittas made him the face of their company and his work on building The Ultimate Fighter hugely impacted MMA’s popularity.
Despite White’s accomplishments, however, I wonder how much longer he can take the sport before it’s time to hand over the reins to a new figurehead.
It may seem crazy for me to make such a suggestion; why oust White when MMA is exploding? Well, sooner or later, the UFC will exhaust its ability to grow amidst its young, male-dominated, niche audience (I call it the Spike TV demographic). Eventually, the UFC and other promotions will want to see MMA viewed as a truly honourable and “clean” sport – the kind that could become an Olympic event.
To me, White is too rough around the edges to usher MMA to that next echelon a few years down the road. He’s a true fan and does a great job promoting MMA, but he’s no gentleman. He’s crass, dropping F-bombs in almost every interview, and he even got himself into hot water by making slurs against homosexuals.
If anyone believes the UFC can keep growing with that type of commissioner, let me ask, when was the last time you heard a swear word or slur against a minority from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman? NFL commissioner Roger Goodell? NBA commissioner David stern?
That’s what I thought.
Dana White has accomplished a lot and his influence is undeniable, but he can’t take MMA much further unless he cleans up his own image and learns some manners.
By Matt Larkin
Guest Writer
MMA Gym Toronto, North York, Brampton, Etobicoke, Markham, Mississauga, Oshawa, Peel Region, Pickering, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Thornhill, Vaughan, Woodbridge, York, York Region Ontario Canada.
Tags: MMA Gym Toronto