Throwing Down the Gauntlet; and the Joystick
So apparently Zuffa (UFC’s parent entity) has thrown down the
gauntlet to each and every fighter who has designs on fighting for
the undisputed heavyweight mixed martial arts promotion.
According to agent Ken Pavia -- as well as a handful of other reliable sources – the UFC has made it clear that anyone who signs on to be part of the EA Sports MMA game that is in development and due out in 2010, will be banned from the Octagon.
I have to say, I was completely shocked when I read… the reaction to this. Are you guys kidding? Seriously, who didn’t see this coming?
This fits in with the company’s modus operandi. It is a “you are either with us or against us” mentality that dominates nearly every relationship the company enters into. Fighters, management, sponsors and media who don’t toe the line have all felt the wrath of the overbearing giant at one time or another.
The corporate culture behind UFC is no different than what is practiced by many Fortune 500 companies. It is a maximization of profit at any cost and is seen as a positive by many in our society.
Why are people surprised at any of the actions of a company that is just one of many adhering to the “greed is good” mantra in a country that has seen business ownership -- individuals or shareholders -- take more and more of the profit while workers incomes, in inflation-adjusted dollars, have decreased.
Like a company that pollutes because the fines cost less than the savings polluting brings them, Zuffa leaves ethics out of the equation in favor of what will bring the greatest return on their investment.
Until this is looked at as unacceptable and hits them in the one place that they understand -- their wallet -- expect more of the same from them.
According to agent Ken Pavia -- as well as a handful of other reliable sources – the UFC has made it clear that anyone who signs on to be part of the EA Sports MMA game that is in development and due out in 2010, will be banned from the Octagon.
I have to say, I was completely shocked when I read… the reaction to this. Are you guys kidding? Seriously, who didn’t see this coming?
This fits in with the company’s modus operandi. It is a “you are either with us or against us” mentality that dominates nearly every relationship the company enters into. Fighters, management, sponsors and media who don’t toe the line have all felt the wrath of the overbearing giant at one time or another.
The corporate culture behind UFC is no different than what is practiced by many Fortune 500 companies. It is a maximization of profit at any cost and is seen as a positive by many in our society.
Why are people surprised at any of the actions of a company that is just one of many adhering to the “greed is good” mantra in a country that has seen business ownership -- individuals or shareholders -- take more and more of the profit while workers incomes, in inflation-adjusted dollars, have decreased.
Like a company that pollutes because the fines cost less than the savings polluting brings them, Zuffa leaves ethics out of the equation in favor of what will bring the greatest return on their investment.
Until this is looked at as unacceptable and hits them in the one place that they understand -- their wallet -- expect more of the same from them.
