Letter-Writing Campaign for MMA in New York Begins
With a new legislative session just kicking off in New York, the battle to sanction mixed martial arts in the Empire State is joined once again. The Coalition to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York, the organization that hosted last year’s rally for the sport in front of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s office, is beginning a letter-writing campaign and needs the New York MMA supporter’s help.
With a large number of new faces in the New York State Assembly it’s important for fans, business owners, promoters and trainers to impress upon their representatives how important sanctioned mixed martial arts events in the state will be to them. Signed and personally addressed letters are the most statistically effective way to have the message heard. Below are letter templates provided by The Coalition to The Fight Nerd.com for different categories of New York MMA supporters, as well as links that show which assemblyperson or senator represents which part of the state. Please copy which letter is relevant to you, fill in the blanks, and mail it to your representatives.
For more information on what the grass roots can do to help MMA become a reality in New York, see the Coalition website.
Find out who your Assemblyperson or Senator is and how to contact them here:
Not sure what election district you are? Click here
Letter samples:
If you are a business owner:
Dear (District Assemblyman or State Senator),
My name is (Your Name) and I am (Position in Your Company) of (Your Company). I am writing to you in regards to the bill to sanction mixed martial arts in New York under the State Athletic Commission, titled A04146A in the State Assembly and S 1707-A in the State Senate.
As the owner of an MMA related business, locally run live shows are where I find most of my new customers. Our booths at MMA events are a major part of our advertising and, without sanctioned MMA in New York, I am forced to take this aspect of my business over to New Jersey on a near-monthly basis.
Such frequent traveling is not only a painful expense to my small business but, as a New York tax payer, there is an added dilemma of seeing the economic activity live MMA events generate being forcibly taken out of my community and transplanted some place else. While the Ultimate Fighting Championship is the most well known MMA promotion, there is a thriving MMA culture and economy right here in our home state. And, as a member of that culture, I can confidently say that we would like to do business at home.
Further than my immediate economic concerns, MMA represents not just a sport but a culture that I support. Local MMA competition can and has provided discipline and empowerment to a diverse group of people that make up the martial arts community. The state’s failure to recognize and sanction MMA as a legitimate sport is a direct insult from the New York State government to all of its citizens who find value in the hard work and lessons MMA contains.
To this end, I urge you to vote in approval in the upcoming legislative session. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
(Your Signature)
If you are a gym owner:
Dear (District Assemblyman or State Senator),
My name is (Your Name) and I am (Position in Your Gym) of (Your Gym). I am writing to you in regards the bill to sanction mixed martial arts in New York under the State Athletic Commission, titled A04146A in the State Assembly and S 1707-A in the State Senate.
As the owner of a school that trains athletes to compete in mixed martial arts, locally run live shows are a necessary place for my students to test themselves and gain experience. Without sanctioned MMA in New York, I am forced to take this aspect of my business over to New Jersey on a regular basis.
Such frequent traveling is a burden on my athletes, who, even on the professional level are often forced to maintain a full-time job outside of the sport. Also, as a New York tax payer, there is an added dilemma of seeing the economic activity live MMA events generate being forcibly taken out of my community and transplanted some place else. While the Ultimate Fighting Championship is the most well known MMA promotion, there is a thriving MMA culture and economy right here in our home state. And, as a member of that culture, I can confidently say that we would like to do business at home.
Further than my immediate economic concerns, MMA represents not just a sport but a culture that I support. Local MMA competition can and has provided discipline and empowerment to a diverse group of people that make up the martial arts community. The state’s failure to recognize and sanction MMA as a legitimate sport is a direct insult from the New York State government to all of its citizens who find value in the hard work and lessons MMA contains.
To this end, I urge you to vote in approval of in the upcoming legislative session. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
(Your Signature)
If you are a fan:
Dear (District Assemblyman or State Senator),
My name is (Your Name). I am writing to you in regards to the bill to sanction mixed martial arts in New York under the State Athletic Commission,, titled A04146A in the State Assembly and S 1707-A in the State Senate.
As a fan of MMA, I travel to many mixed martial arts competitions. Without sanctioned MMA in New York, I am forced to travel to New Jersey and other neighboring states on a regular basis in order to watch the sport I love.
Such frequent traveling is not only a painful expense to me but, as a New York tax payer, there is an added dilemma of seeing the economic activity live MMA events generate being forcibly taken out of my community and transplanted someplace else. While the Ultimate Fighting Championship is the most well known MMA promotion, there is a thriving MMA culture and economy right here in our home state. As a member of that culture and fan of the sport, I can confidently say that we would like to do business and view the sport we love at home in New York.
Further than my immediate economic concerns, MMA represents not just a sport but a culture that I support. Local MMA competition can and has provided discipline and empowerment to a diverse group of people that make up the martial arts community. The state’s failure to recognize and sanction MMA as a legitimate sport is a direct insult from the New York State government to all of its citizens who find value in the hard work and lessons MMA contains.
To this end, I urge you to vote in approval in the upcoming legislative session. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
(Your Signature)
If you are a promoter:
Dear (District Assemblyman or State Senator),
My name is (Your Name) and I am (Position in Your Promotion) of (Your Promotion). I am writing to you in regards to the bill to sanction mixed martial arts in New York under the State Athletic Commission,, titled A04146A in the State Assembly and S 1707-A in the State Senate.
As the promoter of a locally run MMA event, my organization holds mixed martial arts competitions showcasing both local athletes and those coming in from out of state. Without sanctioned MMA in New York, I am forced to take my show over to New Jersey on a regular basis.
Such frequent traveling is not only a painful expense to my small business but, as a New York tax payer, there is an added dilemma of seeing the economic activity live MMA events generate being forcibly taken out of my community and transplanted some place else. While the Ultimate Fighting Championship is the most well known MMA promotion, there is a thriving MMA culture and economy right here in our home state. And, as a member of that culture, I can confidently say that we would like to do business at home.
Further than my immediate economic concerns, MMA represents not just a sport but a culture that I support. Local MMA competition can and has provided discipline and empowerment to a diverse group of people that make up the martial arts community. The state’s failure to recognize and sanction MMA as a legitimate sport is a direct insult from the New York State government to all of its citizens who find value in the hard work and lessons MMA contains.
To this end, I urge you to vote in approval in the upcoming legislative session. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
(Your Signature)
