Dana White's Power Slap draws criticism from US Congressmen due to its "mindless violence"
UFC President Dana White's new television series Power Slap: Road to the Title has received mostly positive reviews since debuting last month. Two United States Congressmen have now gotten involved, sending a letter to TBS and Warner Bros. Discovery.
Bill Pascrell Jr., who represents New Jersey's ninth congressional district, shared that he and Don Bacon, who represents Nebraska's second congressional district, questioned both networks regarding the show. Pascrell Jr. took to Twitter, stating:
"Today @RepDonBacon and I are asking TBS and Warner Bros about their crass new TV show “The Power Slap” glorifying terrible violence. Where are the warnings to this mindless violence? Traumatic brain injury isn’t entertainment."
Pascrell then attached the bipartisan letter, which claims that Power Slap could lead to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, better known as CTE. They also alleged that the participants are being taken advantage of as they are paid just $2,000 despite the potential negative long-term effects.
TBS, Endeavor, and the UFC were accused of attempting to turn a profit without implementing basic safety protocols.
The letter concluded by questioning whether there is a disclaimer shown prior to each episode and if participants are warned about the dangers and offered long-term brain screening and health care. Dana White has not yet addressed the congressional letter.
Check out Bill Pascrell Jr.'s tweet, as well as the letter below:
Today @RepDonBacon and I are asking TBS and Warner Bros about their crass new TV show “The Power Slap” glorifying terrible violence.
Where are the warnings to this mindless violence? Traumatic brain injury isn’t entertainment. https://t.co/LIWGWtvm2s
Here’s our letter demanding answers from @warnerbros @TBSNetwork on their violent new TV show glorifying traumatic brain injury risks. https://t.co/MV4rruLv6a
What has Dana White said about Power Slap criticisms?
The latest criticism of Power Slap: Road to the Title is not the first time that the show has been called out for health and safety issues. UFC President Dana White addressed those critics ahead of the show's debut, stating:
"We spend the money to make sure we have two healthy people in there, proper medical attention during and after the fight. These are the things we need to educate people on, just like we needed to educate people on mixed martial arts."
White continued:
"In Slap, they take three-to-five slaps per event. Fighters in boxing take 300, 400 punches per fight. And guess what, you know what my answer to that is? If you don't f**king like it, don't watch it! Nobody's asking you to watch this. Oh, you're disgusted by it? Watch The Voice."
White has since declared the new show a success, noting that it has averaged 275,000 viewers per episode. He also noted that they have had even more success with social media metrics, as well as overseas metrics.
Watch Dana White's comments below:
In Slap, they take 3 to 5 slaps per event. Fighters in boxing take 300 to 400 punches a fight.
Oh, you're disgusted by it? Watch The Voice.
https://t.co/1kNUqX2uEL