Dana White defends measly Power Slap League pay with unjustified excuses
Dana White's latest venture, Power Slap League, is already facing public scrutiny since its TV debut on TBS on January 18, 2023. In response to the initial public uproar about the sport's brutality, White assured fans that the commission is working towards improving safety procedures
It has recently come to light that despite the grueling nature of the sport, Power Slap League competitors are paid a pittance. Eric Spicely, a former UFC middleweight, reportedly disclosed the Power Slap League fighter wage. According to 'Zebrinha,' he was offered $2,000 to show and a $2,000 victory bonus for his slap fighting league debut.
UFC veteran Eric Spicely said he was contacted to see if he’d like to participate in the Power Slap League. Not sure what the full pay scale is, but this nugget caught my attention: https://t.co/Qlej95KmJs
Following the initial reports, a fan on Instagram questioned Dana White about the inadequate remuneration offered to the contestants. Fight fans immediately condemned White's unreasonable explanation for defending the compensation structure:
"[This is] how MMA started too. Boxing undercards make this kind of money still. Educate yourself before you open the YAP."
Check out White's reply below:
Dana White responding to IG account about Power Slap pay. https://t.co/HzGcHUbwSk
Fight fans were justifiably outraged by Dana White's statements defending the wage structure for the Power Slap League. One fan wrote:
"2k was worth a lot more in the 90s."
Another fan wrote:
"I love how after he slapped his wife he still out here being the same old Dana. You would think that whole incident would change him."
@jedigoodman I Love How After He Slapped His Wife He Still Out Here Being The Same Old Dana. You Would Think That Whole Incident Would Change Him.
Yet another fan wrote:
"Dana when he realizes it’s 2023, not 1993."
@jedigoodman Dana when he realizes it’s 2023, not 1993 https://t.co/8ZZEzmehWT
John McCarthy and Josh Thomson criticize Dana White's Power Slap League and pay structure
Former UFC lightweight contender Josh Thompson and veteran MMA referee John McCarthy do not think much of Dana White's Power Slap League. Despite the UFC's extensive promotion of slap-fighting, the payouts to those who participate in it have been a major source of contention in the MMA community.
During episode #329 of their Weighing In podcast, McCarthy and Thomson questioned the security of UFC President Dana White's Power Slap League. Slap-fight competitors were the focus of their discussion, as were the risky contracts they signed for a relatively small compensation. Thompson said:
"The UFC is following the pattern they said, they started, when they started the UFC. Same owners, same thing, this contract is exactly the same. Two and two is what these fighters [made] is what these slappers are making. Without being able to defend your face. Without being able to defend your chin and you have a stick behind your back, you have to hold."
Check out the full video below: