Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Dana White is right when he says the UFC “isn’t the NFL,” but not quite in the way he intended.
It’s hard to understand what UFC president Dana White was thinking when he said, “Anybody that doesn’t want to fight doesn’t have to fight, including Masvidal and Jon Jones and all these other guys. It doesn’t have to be because of the pandemic. These guys are independent contractors. This isn’t like the NFL where I can make you: ‘You come to practice and you do this or you’re going to get fined or you’re going to get this.’ These guys can do whatever they want. They can say whatever they want.”
White’s statements were in response to a question over fighter dissatisfaction, in the wake of what seemed to be failed contract negotiations with Jon Jones and Jorge Masvidal. Negotiations that eventually spilled over into the public with both fighters airing their grievences with UFC pay on social media.
However, since White opened the door on the whole idea, it’s worth looking into how the UFC and NFL compare when it comes to the contracts, pay and benefits the two sports offer their athletes.
Contract Guarantees:
UFC: The UFC offers no monetary guarantees to fighters upon signing their contracts with the promotion.
NFL: Full contracts are rarely entirely guaranteed, but players can get some guaranteed money in their deals, including via signing bonuses. There is also language in NFL contracts for ‘guaranteed for injury,’ ‘skill guarantees’ and ‘cap guarantees.’ This story from The Ringer does an excellent job of describing NFL contracts and ‘guaranteed’ money.
Contract Term:
UFC: Not guaranteed. Time is added to contracts under the “champion’s clause” as well as when fighters decline fights when offered, no matter the circumstances. Fighters can be released at any time and owed nothing.
NFL: Not guaranteed. Players can be released. Will be owed money based on the guarantees on their individual contracts.
Free Agency:
UFC: Fighters have to fight out contracts, or in rare circumstances negotiate their release. A ‘UFC only’ negotiation period follows for 90 days after a contract has been completed, unless waived by the promotion. After the exclusive negotiation period, fighters can seek other deals, but UFC has matching rights that last for a full year.
NFL: After three accrued seasons a player can become a restricted free agent. After four accrued seasons a player has the possibility to become an unrestricted free agent. Restricted free agents can negotiate with any team until April 17, during which time the athlete’s former team can match any offer. Unrestricted free agents are free to sign with any team through the first day of training camp.
Employment status:
UFC: UFC fighters are independent contractors in name, but are not free to shop their services to the highest bidder as long as they are under contract to UFC.
NFL: NFL players are employees of team.
Benefits:
UFC: The UFC provides injury insurance during training camp (with a deductible per incident), as well as use of UFC Performance Institute. That includes prepared meals, and strength and conditioning training, as well as instruction in weight cutting techniques and other similar services.
NFL: NFL players have access to life insurance, medical and dental coverage, severance pay upon end of career, a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), a deferred compensation plan, savings plan, retirement plan, disability benefits, tuition assistance, and the “88 plan” for players who have been diagnosed with Dementia, ALS or Parkinson’s. NFL benefits are, however, dependent on amount of time spent in the league. Teams also have individual facilities that see to training, rehab, and other needs.
Pension:
UFC: None
NFL: NFL players are vested in the pension plan after three accrued seasons. According to the NFL Alumni, “average pensions for players will go from $30,000 per year to $46,000 per year, and more than 10,000 former players will realize that benefit.”
Revenue split:
UFC: There is no guaranteed revenue split between the UFC and their fighters, but according to at least one report, fighters received less than 16 percent of the promotion’s revenue in 2019. UFC themselves targeted to maintain a 17% share of the revenue for years.
NFL: Players get 48 percent of revenue in 2021 and at least 48.5 percent in every 17-game season. The NFL collective bargaining agreement runs through 2030.
Starting pay:
UFC: Fighters usually either get paid $10,000 or $12,000 for their first fight in show money. If they win that fight they double their money via a “win bonus.” Most UFC contracts increase in small incremental steps with every win.
NFL: The NFL rookie minimum salary is $610,000. The practice squad salary comes in at $8,400 per week—or $142,800 if a player is on the squad for 17 weeks.
Retirement benefits:
UFC: None
NFL: Vested players receive the following: Five years of extended medical, dental, vision, prescription and work/life resources coverage. Retired players also get joint replacement benefits, medicare subsidy (at 65), tuition assistance, long term care assistance at 50, and an HRA plan with $35,000 per accredited season with $450,000 max. There’s even an NFL dedicated hospital network, pension plan, disability plan, and “88 plan.”
Much like Dana White said, the UFC “isn’t like the NFL.” But, that’s mostly because it takes a lot better care of its players than the UFC does its fighters. It seems likely that many fighters would give up the freedom to fight and train whenever they wanted, if the payoff were to obtain even part of the benefits the NFL Players Association has negotiated for its players.
Bloody Elbow reached out to the UFC asking for comment on its benefits, the UFC did not respond before publication.