2010-07-29 14:45:28 +0000
Dana White is now going after those who illegally stream UFC pay-per-views and has asked a judge to grant permission to get the IP addresses of those who use streaming websites to upload the pay-per-view broadcasts illegally.
One would imagine that this will lead to lawsuits. However, is it possible that White (who is coming off of one of the top ten biggest pay-per-view buyrates his promotion has ever seen) will end up looking like the ultimate bad guy if he begins going after these folks?
We know that he has every right to do this, that's not even a question. The question comes up as SHOULD he do it. Imagine how it would look if one of the biggest names in combat sports started targeting sixteen year old kids who uploaded a UFC pay-per-view (especially once their history of above average and record breaking buy rates comes to light more in the mainstream if this happens.) White would end up looking like a bigger monster to the general public than he does to those in the fight game who simply thinks he's a lying jackass. It could be a public relations nightmare that the promotion cannot afford in a time when freestyle fighting is under even closer scrutiny on a whole.
So, should Dana White try to do this tactfully and simply send them cease and desist letters or warn them about the consequences, or should he go ahead and do what appears to be the plan so far and head in with lawsuits blazing?
One would imagine that this will lead to lawsuits. However, is it possible that White (who is coming off of one of the top ten biggest pay-per-view buyrates his promotion has ever seen) will end up looking like the ultimate bad guy if he begins going after these folks?
We know that he has every right to do this, that's not even a question. The question comes up as SHOULD he do it. Imagine how it would look if one of the biggest names in combat sports started targeting sixteen year old kids who uploaded a UFC pay-per-view (especially once their history of above average and record breaking buy rates comes to light more in the mainstream if this happens.) White would end up looking like a bigger monster to the general public than he does to those in the fight game who simply thinks he's a lying jackass. It could be a public relations nightmare that the promotion cannot afford in a time when freestyle fighting is under even closer scrutiny on a whole.
So, should Dana White try to do this tactfully and simply send them cease and desist letters or warn them about the consequences, or should he go ahead and do what appears to be the plan so far and head in with lawsuits blazing?