Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Unite Here Local 226 talks about Station Casino Bankruptcy
Press Release from Culinary Workers Union Local 226:
Report Shows Station Casinos Insiders, Not the Recession, Drove the Company into Bankruptcy: Labor Union Calls on Company Creditors to Demand Significant Equity Investment from Insiders
Las Vegas—In light of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of Station Casinos, Inc., the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 is calling on creditors to demand a significant equity investment by insiders, who have amassed over $1 billion from the company. According to an analysis released by the union, the company could have averted bankruptcy if not for the substantial debt it took on largely to enrich a small group of company insiders. The report examines how this debt enabled insiders to extract over a $1 billion from the company in recent years and that these insiders, not the global recession, drove the company into bankruptcy.
Station Casinos is a major employer in the Las Vegas Valley, many of whose over 13,000 employees are family members or friends of Culinary Union workers. The union’s members, as well as the larger community, are rightly concerned about the continuing uncertainty over the future of the company and its impact on Las Vegas.
“Station Casinos is a uniquely Las Vegas company that owes it success to Las Vegas locals like our members,” said D. Taylor, Culinary Workers Union Local 226 Secretary-Treasurer. “The company has a special obligation to our community. Its owner-managers have a responsibility not just to their Wall Street lenders and investors, but to their employees, customers, suppliers, and vendors right here in this community. The livelihoods of a lot of people and their families are closely tied to this company’s financial well-being. Clearly, the owner-managers and other insiders were more interested in extracting wealth from the company for themselves than ensuring its and its employees’ future. Now it’s time for them to give back.”
The report shows:
· Company insiders, led by members of the Fertitta family, nearly tripled the company’s long-term debt load between 2005 and the end of 2007 from $1.9 billion to $5.2 billion.
· Of the new debt incurred during this period, more than two-thirds was used to buy back shares and to complete a management-led buyout, both of which significantly benefited a small group of insiders.
· In 2006 and 2007, the company borrowed $990 million to buy back 14 million in outstanding shares. This was the true cost of the company’s stock compensation program over the previous years, which had been described by an independent proxy advisory firm as “the most expensive and liberal we have reviewed” and an “excessive transfer of wealth” to insiders.
· In 2007, the company took on $1.6 billion of new debt to complete a management-lead buyout. More than $660 million – or 40% – of the proceeds went to company insiders. The Fertitta family received $495 million alone as a result of the buyout.
· If the company had forgone these two non-productive transactions – the share buybacks and the buyout – it would have $2.6 billion less debt, significantly less interest expense, and could have averted bankruptcy.
· Since 2001, company insiders received more than $1 billion in executive compensation and from the buyout even as they led the company down the path toward bankruptcy. In contrast, other stakeholders in the company have had to suffer the consequences of their financial mismanagement. Not only is the company in Chapter 11 reorganization under the bankruptcy code, the company stopped matching employees’ 401(k) contributions, more than doubled PPO health care premiums for rank-and-file workers, slashed shifts and cut hours for workers, and terminated hundreds of long-time employees by replacing coffee shops with subcontracted restaurants.
The Culinary Workers Union, Local 226, an affiliate of UNITE HERE, is the largest local labor union in the gaming industry. The Culinary represents approximately 55,000 casino and resort workers on the Las Vegas Strip, in downtown Las Vegas, and in downtown Reno.
For a copy of the report please contact Ken Liu at 702-387-7001 or kliu@culinaryunion226.org.
http://www.culinaryunion226.org/
Report Shows Station Casinos Insiders, Not the Recession, Drove the Company into Bankruptcy: Labor Union Calls on Company Creditors to Demand Significant Equity Investment from Insiders
Las Vegas—In light of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of Station Casinos, Inc., the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 is calling on creditors to demand a significant equity investment by insiders, who have amassed over $1 billion from the company. According to an analysis released by the union, the company could have averted bankruptcy if not for the substantial debt it took on largely to enrich a small group of company insiders. The report examines how this debt enabled insiders to extract over a $1 billion from the company in recent years and that these insiders, not the global recession, drove the company into bankruptcy.
Station Casinos is a major employer in the Las Vegas Valley, many of whose over 13,000 employees are family members or friends of Culinary Union workers. The union’s members, as well as the larger community, are rightly concerned about the continuing uncertainty over the future of the company and its impact on Las Vegas.
“Station Casinos is a uniquely Las Vegas company that owes it success to Las Vegas locals like our members,” said D. Taylor, Culinary Workers Union Local 226 Secretary-Treasurer. “The company has a special obligation to our community. Its owner-managers have a responsibility not just to their Wall Street lenders and investors, but to their employees, customers, suppliers, and vendors right here in this community. The livelihoods of a lot of people and their families are closely tied to this company’s financial well-being. Clearly, the owner-managers and other insiders were more interested in extracting wealth from the company for themselves than ensuring its and its employees’ future. Now it’s time for them to give back.”
The report shows:
· Company insiders, led by members of the Fertitta family, nearly tripled the company’s long-term debt load between 2005 and the end of 2007 from $1.9 billion to $5.2 billion.
· Of the new debt incurred during this period, more than two-thirds was used to buy back shares and to complete a management-led buyout, both of which significantly benefited a small group of insiders.
· In 2006 and 2007, the company borrowed $990 million to buy back 14 million in outstanding shares. This was the true cost of the company’s stock compensation program over the previous years, which had been described by an independent proxy advisory firm as “the most expensive and liberal we have reviewed” and an “excessive transfer of wealth” to insiders.
· In 2007, the company took on $1.6 billion of new debt to complete a management-lead buyout. More than $660 million – or 40% – of the proceeds went to company insiders. The Fertitta family received $495 million alone as a result of the buyout.
· If the company had forgone these two non-productive transactions – the share buybacks and the buyout – it would have $2.6 billion less debt, significantly less interest expense, and could have averted bankruptcy.
· Since 2001, company insiders received more than $1 billion in executive compensation and from the buyout even as they led the company down the path toward bankruptcy. In contrast, other stakeholders in the company have had to suffer the consequences of their financial mismanagement. Not only is the company in Chapter 11 reorganization under the bankruptcy code, the company stopped matching employees’ 401(k) contributions, more than doubled PPO health care premiums for rank-and-file workers, slashed shifts and cut hours for workers, and terminated hundreds of long-time employees by replacing coffee shops with subcontracted restaurants.
The Culinary Workers Union, Local 226, an affiliate of UNITE HERE, is the largest local labor union in the gaming industry. The Culinary represents approximately 55,000 casino and resort workers on the Las Vegas Strip, in downtown Las Vegas, and in downtown Reno.
For a copy of the report please contact Ken Liu at 702-387-7001 or kliu@culinaryunion226.org.
http://www.culinaryunion226.org/
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
FIGHTERS ONLY MAGAZINE LAUNCHES SOUTH AFRICAN EDITION
FIGHTERS ONLY MAGAZINE EXTENDS GLOBAL REACH WITH
A SOUTH AFRICAN EDITION
23rd November 2009: Fighters Only magazine is proud to announce the addition of another international imprint to its magazine portfolio. ‘Fighters Only’ South Africa will be launched on the 30th November, making a total of four international editions launched since the beginning of 2009. (US and Canadian magazines were launched in February, followed by Germany in April).
Rob Hewitt, President and CEO of Fighters Only said: “At Fighters Only we are truly
passionate about Mixed Martial Arts and have championed the sport since its early days. These international launches reflect not only the ongoing success of our magazine, but the increasing appetite for MMA around the world. We hope that by launching new international titles, we will be able to engage new fans and help support the international growth of our sport
“Fighters Only is the biggest MMA magazine in the world and carries advertising for some of the world’s largest MMA brands. The South African edition will give our advertisers an even greater reach into a new marketplace as well as help grow the profile of local companies and up-and-coming fighters from the region.”
Distribution for the newly launched Fighters Only / TapouT clothing range will follow the magazine into South Africa, with retail stockists having already placed orders.
Further international launches are currently under discussion and will be announced in due course.
For more information please contact Juliet Dawson @ JDPR
juliet.dawson@hotmail.com / 07976 836147
About the Magazine
• Fighters Only was the world’s first monthly Mixed Martial Arts and lifestyle magazine
launching in the UK in 2005.
• By 2008 the magazine was on sale in 13 countries world wide
• Dedicated US and Canadian editions were launched in February 2009 featuring
content specifically generated for the market. A German edition launched in April
2009.
• In 2008 Fighters Only launched the World Mixed Martial Arts Awards. The 2009
Awards Ceremony will be held at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and
broadcast live on Versus.
For further information about the title please contact
UK Enquires:
US & Canadian Enquiries
German Enquiries
Rob Hewitt
Gary Alexander
Oliver Copp
rob.i2media@gmail.com
g.alexander.i2media@gmail.com
oliver.copp@9live.de
A SOUTH AFRICAN EDITION
23rd November 2009: Fighters Only magazine is proud to announce the addition of another international imprint to its magazine portfolio. ‘Fighters Only’ South Africa will be launched on the 30th November, making a total of four international editions launched since the beginning of 2009. (US and Canadian magazines were launched in February, followed by Germany in April).
Rob Hewitt, President and CEO of Fighters Only said: “At Fighters Only we are truly
passionate about Mixed Martial Arts and have championed the sport since its early days. These international launches reflect not only the ongoing success of our magazine, but the increasing appetite for MMA around the world. We hope that by launching new international titles, we will be able to engage new fans and help support the international growth of our sport
“Fighters Only is the biggest MMA magazine in the world and carries advertising for some of the world’s largest MMA brands. The South African edition will give our advertisers an even greater reach into a new marketplace as well as help grow the profile of local companies and up-and-coming fighters from the region.”
Distribution for the newly launched Fighters Only / TapouT clothing range will follow the magazine into South Africa, with retail stockists having already placed orders.
Further international launches are currently under discussion and will be announced in due course.
For more information please contact Juliet Dawson @ JDPR
juliet.dawson@hotmail.com / 07976 836147
About the Magazine
• Fighters Only was the world’s first monthly Mixed Martial Arts and lifestyle magazine
launching in the UK in 2005.
• By 2008 the magazine was on sale in 13 countries world wide
• Dedicated US and Canadian editions were launched in February 2009 featuring
content specifically generated for the market. A German edition launched in April
2009.
• In 2008 Fighters Only launched the World Mixed Martial Arts Awards. The 2009
Awards Ceremony will be held at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and
broadcast live on Versus.
For further information about the title please contact
UK Enquires:
US & Canadian Enquiries
German Enquiries
Rob Hewitt
Gary Alexander
Oliver Copp
rob.i2media@gmail.com
g.alexander.i2media@gmail.com
oliver.copp@9live.de
Monday, November 16, 2009
UFC Fight Night” On Spike TV To Take Place At The Patriot Center In Fairfax, VA On January 11
New York, NY, November 16, 2009 – “UFC Fight Night” on Spike TV heads to the suburbs of Washington D.C. on Monday, January 11, 2010 at 9:00pm ET/PT for the first ever UFC fight in Virginia with a card featuring some of the best up-and-coming lightweight fighters. Emanating from the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on the campus of George Mason University, undefeated UFC lightweight Gray Maynard (9-0, 1 NC) takes on hard-hitting Nate Diaz (11-4) in the main event with Efrain Escudero and Evan Dunham in a duel of undefeated fighters in the co-feature.
The main event features a rematch of lightweight contenders Gray Maynard and Nate Diaz who first met in the Octagon on season five of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Diaz defeated Maynard on was way to being named “The Ultimate Fighter” that season.
A former teammate of Rashad Evans on the Michigan State wrestling team, Maynard currently trains with UFC legend Randy Couture in Las Vegas. Maynard is riding one of the most impressive winning streaks in the sport, defeating an impressive array of 155 lb fighters including Frankie Edgar, Jim Miller, and most recently Roger Huerta this past September.
Diaz has won six of his last eight UFC fights including a win over Melvin Guillard this past September. The pride of Stockton, CA and product of the renowned Cesar Gracie Fight Team, Diaz needs a win over Maynard to continue his path toward a shot at BJ Penn’s lightweight crown.
Winner of season 8 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the undefeated Escudero (13-0) is coming off of an impressive victory over Cole Miller at UFC 103 in September. Fighting out of Tempe, AZ, Escudero will look to use his superior grappling skills against another rising star in the division, Dunham. An Oregon native, Dunham (9-0) was victorious in his first two fights in the UFC, including most recently earning a split decision win over Marcus Aurelio at UFC 102 in August.
The main event features a rematch of lightweight contenders Gray Maynard and Nate Diaz who first met in the Octagon on season five of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Diaz defeated Maynard on was way to being named “The Ultimate Fighter” that season.
A former teammate of Rashad Evans on the Michigan State wrestling team, Maynard currently trains with UFC legend Randy Couture in Las Vegas. Maynard is riding one of the most impressive winning streaks in the sport, defeating an impressive array of 155 lb fighters including Frankie Edgar, Jim Miller, and most recently Roger Huerta this past September.
Diaz has won six of his last eight UFC fights including a win over Melvin Guillard this past September. The pride of Stockton, CA and product of the renowned Cesar Gracie Fight Team, Diaz needs a win over Maynard to continue his path toward a shot at BJ Penn’s lightweight crown.
Winner of season 8 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the undefeated Escudero (13-0) is coming off of an impressive victory over Cole Miller at UFC 103 in September. Fighting out of Tempe, AZ, Escudero will look to use his superior grappling skills against another rising star in the division, Dunham. An Oregon native, Dunham (9-0) was victorious in his first two fights in the UFC, including most recently earning a split decision win over Marcus Aurelio at UFC 102 in August.
Donovan Craig Named President of FIGHT! Media
ATLANTA, Ga. — Donovan Craig, who has served as editor-in-chief of FIGHT! Magazine since the publication’s debut in 2007, has been promoted to President of FIGHT! Media. Along with continuing his responsibilities at the magazine, Craig will now oversee FIGHT!’s overall strategy in all of its various new ventures, which include a number of film, television, and Internet projects currently in development.
“Under Donovan’s leadership as editor-in-chief, FIGHT! Magazine has redefined mixed martial arts publishing,” says Eddy Kleid, Co-President of Bluff Media, FIGHT!’s parent company. “We are confident that he will have a similar impact as the President of FIGHT! Media.”
In less than three years, Craig, a former boxer and stockbroker, has guided FIGHT! Magazine to become the most popular and influential mixed martial arts monthly in the world. Along with extensive coverage of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and other top promotions (Strikeforce, Dream, WEC), FIGHT! also has received accolades for discovering new talent, spotlighting trends, and offering both amateur and professional fighters training and nutritional advice. “Besides a top coach or a fighter, I have never met anybody who has such a handle on the art and science of mixed martial arts as Donovan Craig,” says legendary MMA trainer Greg Jackson (who trains Georges St. Pierre, Rashad Evans, and Nate Marquardt, among many others).
Craig also has written extensively for the magazine and has traveled all over the world to chronicle the history and remarkable expansion of MMA. Along with a widely-praised three-part series on the origins of mixed martial arts in Brazil, he has written a first-person account of his own career as an amateur fighter (culminating in his first fight in Las Vegas) and traveled to a U.S. Army base in Iraq for a groundbreaking MMA event. He will continue to write regularly for FIGHT! “Donovan is a world-class journalist and the man responsible for turning FIGHT! into the best MMA magazine in the world,” says Jorge Guimaraes, Brazilian television host, Black House gym owner, and manager of UFC champions Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida, and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
About FIGHT! Media: This Atlanta-based company publishes the premier mixed martial arts publication in the world, FIGHT! Magazine, and has become renowned for its monthly comprehensive coverage of the fastest-growing sport in America. Its Web site, FIGHTMagazine.com, features online exclusive articles and blogs by some of the top names in the business, fighter rankings, and event news.
“Under Donovan’s leadership as editor-in-chief, FIGHT! Magazine has redefined mixed martial arts publishing,” says Eddy Kleid, Co-President of Bluff Media, FIGHT!’s parent company. “We are confident that he will have a similar impact as the President of FIGHT! Media.”
In less than three years, Craig, a former boxer and stockbroker, has guided FIGHT! Magazine to become the most popular and influential mixed martial arts monthly in the world. Along with extensive coverage of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and other top promotions (Strikeforce, Dream, WEC), FIGHT! also has received accolades for discovering new talent, spotlighting trends, and offering both amateur and professional fighters training and nutritional advice. “Besides a top coach or a fighter, I have never met anybody who has such a handle on the art and science of mixed martial arts as Donovan Craig,” says legendary MMA trainer Greg Jackson (who trains Georges St. Pierre, Rashad Evans, and Nate Marquardt, among many others).
Craig also has written extensively for the magazine and has traveled all over the world to chronicle the history and remarkable expansion of MMA. Along with a widely-praised three-part series on the origins of mixed martial arts in Brazil, he has written a first-person account of his own career as an amateur fighter (culminating in his first fight in Las Vegas) and traveled to a U.S. Army base in Iraq for a groundbreaking MMA event. He will continue to write regularly for FIGHT! “Donovan is a world-class journalist and the man responsible for turning FIGHT! into the best MMA magazine in the world,” says Jorge Guimaraes, Brazilian television host, Black House gym owner, and manager of UFC champions Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida, and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
About FIGHT! Media: This Atlanta-based company publishes the premier mixed martial arts publication in the world, FIGHT! Magazine, and has become renowned for its monthly comprehensive coverage of the fastest-growing sport in America. Its Web site, FIGHTMagazine.com, features online exclusive articles and blogs by some of the top names in the business, fighter rankings, and event news.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Sengoku 11 Card Reinforces Effect of Tournament Format
Looking at the card for this week-end's Sengoku 11, there are a multitude of interesting matchups at various weights but some of the more interesting fights reside in the featherweight division:
SENGOKU ELEVENTH: NOVEMBER 7 ON HDNET
location: Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan
-Hatsu Hioki (20-3-2) vs. Michihiro Omigawa (7-8-1)
-Yuji Hoshino (16-7-7) vs. Marlon Sandro (14-1)
-Shigeki Osawa (3-0) vs. Ronnie Mann (16-2-1)
The tournament format to crown a FW champ has given a breadth to the division that lives on past the tournament itself. Take this card for example. Hioki seemed like a lock for tournament gold and looked well on his way until having to withdraw on the precipice of the finals. Hioki entered the tourney a Top 5 FW and his swift subs through the first three rounds of the competition did little to disavow one of that notion.
The tournament also lifted the profile of Marlon Sandro. Sandro made swift work of Matt Jaggers and Nick Denis before losing in the semifinals in a highly controversial split decision to Michihiro Omigawa, a decision seen by most as a bit of home cooking for the Japanese fighter. In spite of the loss, Sandro performance has lifted him into a spot on the door step of the Top 10, with inclusion possible with a few more impressive wins.
In the case of Omigawa, the tournament served as a re-birth for his career. Omigawa had been on a slide, going 0-3 in the the UFC at lighweight and drawing with Ishiwatari upon his return to his homeland. Entering the tourney, Omigawa would have seemed to be little more than cannon fodder, being an underdog at each step of his progression through the FW GP. Wins over LC Davis and Nam Phan gave him an against the odds appeal, and an unlikely (and somewhat undeserved) win over Sandro placed Omigawa in the finals with a shot at gold. He gave a game performance in the loss to Kanehara in the finals, but that didn't dull the resurgence in relevance of Omigawa. Omigawa's gameness in the GP make me want to watch him when he fights, something I would have thought to be impossible going into the GP.
Further still, the tournament gave glimpses of Chan Sung "The Korean Zombie" Jung and Ronnie Mann, spotlighting the two as exciting fighters to keep an eye on for the future. And lest one not forget about the winner of the FW GP, Kanehara. Kanehara sits precariously upon the throne, with fighters like Sandro and Hioki seen as the true players in Sengoku at FW, with Kanehara seen as a caretaker of the title until one or the other ascends. Will Kahehara be able to buck the conventional wisdom and hold on to his belt as he runs the gauntlet of Hioki/Sandro?
While the tourney has concluded, it has provided a back story and context that is unfolding even after the GP has passed. Even those that weren't in the tournament are able to get the rub from it. A fighter like Hoshino, if he is able to pull out a win over Sandro, will take with it a heightened cache and value, on the basis of what Sandro was able to accomplish in the GP. In a sense the FW GP is the gift that keeps on giving.
SENGOKU ELEVENTH: NOVEMBER 7 ON HDNET
location: Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan
-Hatsu Hioki (20-3-2) vs. Michihiro Omigawa (7-8-1)
-Yuji Hoshino (16-7-7) vs. Marlon Sandro (14-1)
-Shigeki Osawa (3-0) vs. Ronnie Mann (16-2-1)
The tournament format to crown a FW champ has given a breadth to the division that lives on past the tournament itself. Take this card for example. Hioki seemed like a lock for tournament gold and looked well on his way until having to withdraw on the precipice of the finals. Hioki entered the tourney a Top 5 FW and his swift subs through the first three rounds of the competition did little to disavow one of that notion.
The tournament also lifted the profile of Marlon Sandro. Sandro made swift work of Matt Jaggers and Nick Denis before losing in the semifinals in a highly controversial split decision to Michihiro Omigawa, a decision seen by most as a bit of home cooking for the Japanese fighter. In spite of the loss, Sandro performance has lifted him into a spot on the door step of the Top 10, with inclusion possible with a few more impressive wins.
In the case of Omigawa, the tournament served as a re-birth for his career. Omigawa had been on a slide, going 0-3 in the the UFC at lighweight and drawing with Ishiwatari upon his return to his homeland. Entering the tourney, Omigawa would have seemed to be little more than cannon fodder, being an underdog at each step of his progression through the FW GP. Wins over LC Davis and Nam Phan gave him an against the odds appeal, and an unlikely (and somewhat undeserved) win over Sandro placed Omigawa in the finals with a shot at gold. He gave a game performance in the loss to Kanehara in the finals, but that didn't dull the resurgence in relevance of Omigawa. Omigawa's gameness in the GP make me want to watch him when he fights, something I would have thought to be impossible going into the GP.
Further still, the tournament gave glimpses of Chan Sung "The Korean Zombie" Jung and Ronnie Mann, spotlighting the two as exciting fighters to keep an eye on for the future. And lest one not forget about the winner of the FW GP, Kanehara. Kanehara sits precariously upon the throne, with fighters like Sandro and Hioki seen as the true players in Sengoku at FW, with Kanehara seen as a caretaker of the title until one or the other ascends. Will Kahehara be able to buck the conventional wisdom and hold on to his belt as he runs the gauntlet of Hioki/Sandro?
While the tourney has concluded, it has provided a back story and context that is unfolding even after the GP has passed. Even those that weren't in the tournament are able to get the rub from it. A fighter like Hoshino, if he is able to pull out a win over Sandro, will take with it a heightened cache and value, on the basis of what Sandro was able to accomplish in the GP. In a sense the FW GP is the gift that keeps on giving.
HDNet Plans for New Year's Still in Flux
With the two pre-eminent Japanese MMA promotions looking to go head to head with their New Year's cards, the American television partner for both, HDNet, is still ironing out what their plans will be for covering the mixed martial arts duel.
At this time the Sengoku card is a solid go for airing on HDNet. The FEG Dyanmite K-1/Dream show is still under negotiations, and it is not clear at this time whether or not that card will be a part of HDNet's coverage. One might recall that Dynamite 2008 did not air on HDNet, and was instead offered as a on online PPV. The contractual language in regards to the Dynamite shows looks to give FEG some wiggle room as to the rights for the New Year's shows. If HDNet is able to secure a deal for Dynamite, the next issue will be which show to carry live and which to air on a tape delay basis. With HDNet using the same broadcasting crew for both shows, running head to head would seem to necessitate one the two shows being offered at a later date.
Here is a quick glance at what is scheduled so far for the two cards:
SENGOKU NEW YEAR'S EVENT: DECEMBER 31 IN TOKYO
location: Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan
-Satoshi Ishii (0-0) vs. Hidehiko Yoshida (8-7-1)
DYNAMITE!! 2009: DECEMBER 31 IN JAPAN
venue: Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan
Dream Lightweight Championship:
-Shinya Aoki (22-4) vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri (25-5-2)
Super Hulk Openweight Tournament Final:
-Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (7-4) vs. Ikuhisa Minowa (43-30-8)
-Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto (17-2) vs. TBA
-Bob Sapp (10-6-1) vs. TBA
-Tim Sylvia (25-6) vs. TBA
-Kazushi Sakuraba (25-12-1) vs. TBA
-Kiyoshi Tamura (33-13-2) vs. TBA
-Hayato "Mach" Sakurai (35-9-2) vs. TBA
-Hideo Tokoro (23-19-1) vs. TBA
-Hong Man Choi (2-3) vs. TBA
K-1 Rules Bouts:
-Masato vs. TBA
K-1 Koshien (High School) Tournament Finals:
Final: Winner of SF 1 vs. Winner of SF 2
SF 2: Hiroya vs. Masaaki Noiri
SF 1: Katsuki Ishida vs. Shota Shimada
At this time the Sengoku card is a solid go for airing on HDNet. The FEG Dyanmite K-1/Dream show is still under negotiations, and it is not clear at this time whether or not that card will be a part of HDNet's coverage. One might recall that Dynamite 2008 did not air on HDNet, and was instead offered as a on online PPV. The contractual language in regards to the Dynamite shows looks to give FEG some wiggle room as to the rights for the New Year's shows. If HDNet is able to secure a deal for Dynamite, the next issue will be which show to carry live and which to air on a tape delay basis. With HDNet using the same broadcasting crew for both shows, running head to head would seem to necessitate one the two shows being offered at a later date.
Here is a quick glance at what is scheduled so far for the two cards:
SENGOKU NEW YEAR'S EVENT: DECEMBER 31 IN TOKYO
location: Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan
-Satoshi Ishii (0-0) vs. Hidehiko Yoshida (8-7-1)
DYNAMITE!! 2009: DECEMBER 31 IN JAPAN
venue: Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan
Dream Lightweight Championship:
-Shinya Aoki (22-4) vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri (25-5-2)
Super Hulk Openweight Tournament Final:
-Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (7-4) vs. Ikuhisa Minowa (43-30-8)
-Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto (17-2) vs. TBA
-Bob Sapp (10-6-1) vs. TBA
-Tim Sylvia (25-6) vs. TBA
-Kazushi Sakuraba (25-12-1) vs. TBA
-Kiyoshi Tamura (33-13-2) vs. TBA
-Hayato "Mach" Sakurai (35-9-2) vs. TBA
-Hideo Tokoro (23-19-1) vs. TBA
-Hong Man Choi (2-3) vs. TBA
K-1 Rules Bouts:
-Masato vs. TBA
K-1 Koshien (High School) Tournament Finals:
Final: Winner of SF 1 vs. Winner of SF 2
SF 2: Hiroya vs. Masaaki Noiri
SF 1: Katsuki Ishida vs. Shota Shimada
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Fedor vs Rogers Open Workout
* * * * * * * * OPEN WORKOUT ALERT * * * * * * * *
FEDOR, "MAYHEM" MILLER,
JAKE SHIELDS & MORE TO PARTICIPATE
IN OPEN WORKOUT
Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. CT
WHO: MMA Superstar & World's Universally Recognized No. 1 Heavyweight FEDOR
STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight Champion GEGARD MOUSASI
Exciting Submission Expert JASON "MAYHEM" MILLER
World-Ranked Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt JAKE SHIELDS
Light heavyweight Judo Expert RAMEAU THIERRY SOKOUDJOU
WHAT: The athletes will participate in an open media workout on Wednesday, Nov. 4, just three days prior to the STRIKEFORCE and M-1 Global: "Fedor vs. Rogers" event LIVE on Saturday, Nov. 7 on CBS Television Network (9:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) from Sears Centre Arena in Chicago.
Fedor Emelianenko, who is the world's No. 1 heavyweight with a record of 30-1, will face undefeated American powerhouse Brett "The Grim" Rogers in his first fight since Emelianenko's promotional company M-1 Global signed an agreement with STRIKEFORCE to co-promote major events headlined by Emelianenko.
Mousasi, the STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight Champ who is on a 13-fight win streak, will face Sokoudjou in a non-title matchup of two, hard-hitting KO artists.
Miller, a submission expert and host of MTV's smash-hit reality series Bully Beatdown, will face fellow submission specialist Jake Shields in a fight that will likely be a war on the mat.
Tickets, starting at $35, are on sale now at the Sears Centre Arena box office (www.searscentre.com
WHERE: POW Kickboxing
950 W. Washington Blvd
Chicago, IL 60607
312-829-7699.
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. CT.
FEDOR, "MAYHEM" MILLER,
JAKE SHIELDS & MORE TO PARTICIPATE
IN OPEN WORKOUT
Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. CT
WHO: MMA Superstar & World's Universally Recognized No. 1 Heavyweight FEDOR
STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight Champion GEGARD MOUSASI
Exciting Submission Expert JASON "MAYHEM" MILLER
World-Ranked Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt JAKE SHIELDS
Light heavyweight Judo Expert RAMEAU THIERRY SOKOUDJOU
WHAT: The athletes will participate in an open media workout on Wednesday, Nov. 4, just three days prior to the STRIKEFORCE and M-1 Global: "Fedor vs. Rogers" event LIVE on Saturday, Nov. 7 on CBS Television Network (9:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) from Sears Centre Arena in Chicago.
Fedor Emelianenko, who is the world's No. 1 heavyweight with a record of 30-1, will face undefeated American powerhouse Brett "The Grim" Rogers in his first fight since Emelianenko's promotional company M-1 Global signed an agreement with STRIKEFORCE to co-promote major events headlined by Emelianenko.
Mousasi, the STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight Champ who is on a 13-fight win streak, will face Sokoudjou in a non-title matchup of two, hard-hitting KO artists.
Miller, a submission expert and host of MTV's smash-hit reality series Bully Beatdown, will face fellow submission specialist Jake Shields in a fight that will likely be a war on the mat.
Tickets, starting at $35, are on sale now at the Sears Centre Arena box office (www.searscentre.com
WHERE: POW Kickboxing
950 W. Washington Blvd
Chicago, IL 60607
312-829-7699.
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. CT.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Satire: MMA Media Having Trouble Finding Right Angle On Dana's Double-Homicide
MMA Media Having Trouble Finding Right Angle On Dana's Double-Homicide
Las Vegas—More than a week after UFC President Dana White's cold-blooded killing of a pair of rival promoters, members of the MMA media admitted Tuesday that they were still trying to find the best angle for covering the gruesome crime.
"I know there's a story in there somewhere," said Yahoo columnist Kevin Iole, referring to White's execution-style slaying of Bjorn Rebney and Scott Coker on July 1st. "Right now though, it's probably best to just sit back and wait for more information to come in. After all, the only thing we know for sure is that Dana White senselessly murdered two unsuspecting MMA promoters without emotion or hesitation."
Added Iole, "It's not so cut and dried."
Since the killings took place, MMA reporters across the country have struggled to come up with an appropriate take on the ruthless crime, with some wondering whether it warrants front-page coverage, and others questioning its relevance in a fast-changing media landscape.
"What exactly is the news hook here?" asked Dann Stupp of MMAJunkie. "Is this an upbeat human-interest story about a 'day in the life' of a bloodthirsty UFC President who likes to kill the competition, literally? Or is it more of an examination of how Dana's unusual upbringing in Boston helped to shape the way he would one day viciously butcher two helpless promoters in their own home?"
"Or maybe the story is just that murder is now a viable business option," Stupp continued. "I don't know. There are a million different angles on this one."
So far, White's double-homicide has not been covered by any major MMA news outlets. The only two mentions of the heinous tragedy have been a 100-word blurb on FightOpinion and an obituary on page E7 of this week's edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
While Dana White has expressed no remorse for the grisly murders—point-blank shootings with an unregistered .38-caliber revolver—many journalists said it would be irresponsible for the press to sensationalize the story.
"There's been some debate around the office about whether we should report on this at all," BloodyElbow.com Editor Luke Thomas said while on assignment at a local jiu jitsu tournament. "It's enough of a tragedy without the press jumping in and perfunctorily pointing fingers or, worse, exploiting the violence. To wit, we need to be sensitive to the victims' families at this time. Personally, I'm for virtually anything that drives out the carnie, low rent element of MMA. If one takes the notion of becoming part of the larger sporting community and conversation seriously, cold bloodedly murdering and disposing of hobbyists MMA promoters from the mix is a must"
"I don’t think this is a “murder” or “double-homcide, per se,” said Michael Rome of Bloody Elbow. "I mean, it’s just a business move from a business seeking to maximize profit by eliminating their competition, which is their job. The motivation probably isn’t that tricky. There's nothing to see here, move along."
The MMA Weekly newsroom is reportedly still undecided on whether or not to print a recent letter received from White, in which the UFC President threatens to kill another helpless promoter every Tuesday and "fill [his] heavenly palace with slaves for the afterlife" unless the the entire mixed martial arts community ceases operation and recognizes Ultimate Fighting as the one and only true way.
"Dana White's letter presents us with a classic journalistic quandary," MMA Weekly writer Steve Maracco said. "If we print it, then we're giving him control over the kinds of stories we choose to run. It would be an acknowledgment that we somehow give the UFC special treatment."
Marocco's co-worker with MMA Weekly Tom Hamlin chimed in , "And that's just not how the press in MMA works."
With apologies to the Onion
Las Vegas—More than a week after UFC President Dana White's cold-blooded killing of a pair of rival promoters, members of the MMA media admitted Tuesday that they were still trying to find the best angle for covering the gruesome crime.
"I know there's a story in there somewhere," said Yahoo columnist Kevin Iole, referring to White's execution-style slaying of Bjorn Rebney and Scott Coker on July 1st. "Right now though, it's probably best to just sit back and wait for more information to come in. After all, the only thing we know for sure is that Dana White senselessly murdered two unsuspecting MMA promoters without emotion or hesitation."
Added Iole, "It's not so cut and dried."
Since the killings took place, MMA reporters across the country have struggled to come up with an appropriate take on the ruthless crime, with some wondering whether it warrants front-page coverage, and others questioning its relevance in a fast-changing media landscape.
"What exactly is the news hook here?" asked Dann Stupp of MMAJunkie. "Is this an upbeat human-interest story about a 'day in the life' of a bloodthirsty UFC President who likes to kill the competition, literally? Or is it more of an examination of how Dana's unusual upbringing in Boston helped to shape the way he would one day viciously butcher two helpless promoters in their own home?"
"Or maybe the story is just that murder is now a viable business option," Stupp continued. "I don't know. There are a million different angles on this one."
So far, White's double-homicide has not been covered by any major MMA news outlets. The only two mentions of the heinous tragedy have been a 100-word blurb on FightOpinion and an obituary on page E7 of this week's edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
While Dana White has expressed no remorse for the grisly murders—point-blank shootings with an unregistered .38-caliber revolver—many journalists said it would be irresponsible for the press to sensationalize the story.
"There's been some debate around the office about whether we should report on this at all," BloodyElbow.com Editor Luke Thomas said while on assignment at a local jiu jitsu tournament. "It's enough of a tragedy without the press jumping in and perfunctorily pointing fingers or, worse, exploiting the violence. To wit, we need to be sensitive to the victims' families at this time. Personally, I'm for virtually anything that drives out the carnie, low rent element of MMA. If one takes the notion of becoming part of the larger sporting community and conversation seriously, cold bloodedly murdering and disposing of hobbyists MMA promoters from the mix is a must"
"I don’t think this is a “murder” or “double-homcide, per se,” said Michael Rome of Bloody Elbow. "I mean, it’s just a business move from a business seeking to maximize profit by eliminating their competition, which is their job. The motivation probably isn’t that tricky. There's nothing to see here, move along."
The MMA Weekly newsroom is reportedly still undecided on whether or not to print a recent letter received from White, in which the UFC President threatens to kill another helpless promoter every Tuesday and "fill [his] heavenly palace with slaves for the afterlife" unless the the entire mixed martial arts community ceases operation and recognizes Ultimate Fighting as the one and only true way.
"Dana White's letter presents us with a classic journalistic quandary," MMA Weekly writer Steve Maracco said. "If we print it, then we're giving him control over the kinds of stories we choose to run. It would be an acknowledgment that we somehow give the UFC special treatment."
Marocco's co-worker with MMA Weekly Tom Hamlin chimed in , "And that's just not how the press in MMA works."
With apologies to the Onion
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