Heil to Pay: Reich Banned from Zuffa Cards, Strikeforce Also
Jake Rossen Dec 9, 2009
Maggie Hendricks and MMAJunkie notified the blogosphere -- what a
word -- that Zuffa’s UFC and WEC banners would no longer be
hospitable to fighters sponsored by the Hoelzer Reich clothing
company. You’ll recall that Reich became the subject of much debate
when several of their shirt designs bore a disturbing resemblance
to Nazi-era iconography. While Reich argued against the notion, it
was a little like refusing to call a wheel a circle: observers
reacted with appropriate stress headaches.
The apparel company still managed to get some television time on Spike this past weekend, proving that someone at Zuffa HQ hadn’t done their due diligence. Better late than never. Of the major US promotions in circulation, that leaves only Strikeforce’s policy open-ended: that company employs Lyle Beerbohm, a onetime ardent supporter of the brand.
Reached via email, Strikeforce’s Mike Afromowitz joined the chorus. “We will absolutely not permit our fighters to wear Hoelzer Reich apparel in our cage,” he said. “Strikeforce will not tolerate any offensive behavior at any location or at any time by its fighters.” Beerbohm, meanwhile, circulated word on forums late Tuesday that he’d be backing off from any further Reich endorsements. (To add insult to injury, Joseph Goebbles also denounced the apparel, stating it was “too on-the-nose” for his tastes.)
This would appear to settle the issue, but there’s some lingering discomfort: why did it take an education campaign by MMA sites to clue fighters like Mac Danzig, Donald Cerrone, and Beerbohm into the idea that Reich was being subversively offensive? Are they or their agents so starved for sponsorship money that any offer gets a nice red stamp when it comes across their desks? And how did they manage to pass muster with the UFC Saturday -- an organization notorious for auditing brands?
The tenacity of the media, including BloodyElbow.com and others, in covering this ugliness is commendable: I just don’t understand why it was even needed in the first place.
The apparel company still managed to get some television time on Spike this past weekend, proving that someone at Zuffa HQ hadn’t done their due diligence. Better late than never. Of the major US promotions in circulation, that leaves only Strikeforce’s policy open-ended: that company employs Lyle Beerbohm, a onetime ardent supporter of the brand.
Reached via email, Strikeforce’s Mike Afromowitz joined the chorus. “We will absolutely not permit our fighters to wear Hoelzer Reich apparel in our cage,” he said. “Strikeforce will not tolerate any offensive behavior at any location or at any time by its fighters.” Beerbohm, meanwhile, circulated word on forums late Tuesday that he’d be backing off from any further Reich endorsements. (To add insult to injury, Joseph Goebbles also denounced the apparel, stating it was “too on-the-nose” for his tastes.)
This would appear to settle the issue, but there’s some lingering discomfort: why did it take an education campaign by MMA sites to clue fighters like Mac Danzig, Donald Cerrone, and Beerbohm into the idea that Reich was being subversively offensive? Are they or their agents so starved for sponsorship money that any offer gets a nice red stamp when it comes across their desks? And how did they manage to pass muster with the UFC Saturday -- an organization notorious for auditing brands?
The tenacity of the media, including BloodyElbow.com and others, in covering this ugliness is commendable: I just don’t understand why it was even needed in the first place.
