No MMA in New York.... - Wrestling Forums - WWE, TNA, MMA, Women Of Wrestling Forums

NCIH · 06-20-2008, 11:40 AM

Huge blow....

Quote:

Mixed martial arts still won't play in New York.

Legislation to legalize professional MMA in the Empire State stalled in an Assembly committee this week. The bill was removed from the meeting agenda of the Assembly Tourism, Arts and Sports Development Committee Wednesday to allow for a public hearing on the matter later this year.

The move all but ensures MMA will not be sanctioned this year in New York.

While the notion that one of the fastest growing sports in the country now airing on two national TV networks still cannot be legally contested in the third most populous state in the U.S. seems asinine, some lawmakers adamantly oppose attempts to green light MMA in New York.

The Associated Press quoted Assemblyman Bob Reilly, who serves on the committee, as saying he is against legalizing MMA because the sport amounts to the "glorification of brutality," and sends the wrong message to children.

So what does this week's development mean to efforts to get MMA sanctioned in New York? The fact that there wasn't even enough support to move the legislation out of committee is not an encouraging sign and suggests that plenty of work lies ahead for supporters.

The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Steve Engelbright, was voted down the first time during a June 9 session. Due to confusion about the legislation among some lawmakers, the bill resurfaced Wednesday. That week-plus reprieve still wasn't enough time to shore up support to move the bill forward.

If the legislation finally wins approval, which won't happen until next year at the earliest, it still needs to go before the entire Assembly for vote, and the state Senate must approve a similar measure before a final bill can be signed in to law by the governor.

The next legislative session begins in January.