The Ultimate Women’s Challenge was the brainchild of Executive Producer, Lyle Howry whose IMDB credits alone tell me, he probably didn’t have the stuff to get this project aired on NBC as many within the MMA industry were lead to believe. The reality show started production over the summer and was believed to start airing in the Fall of 2010. But here we are approaching the end of Spring 2011 and wouldn’t you know no air date for the show has yet to be scheduled on any network and cast members have yet to be paid. Thus a lawsuit is born. MMAWeekly’s Damon Martin is reporting:
The suit filed by Nick Thompson on behalf of Kaitlin Young, Heather Clark, Angela Hayes, Barb Honchak, Angela Magana, Michelle Ould, and Patricia Vidonic claims the show and producers have stiffed them for more than a combined $50,000 for salaries, fight payments and bonuses, as well as medical expenses endured during the show’s filming.
In the original contract signed by the fighters with LHPE Entertainment and Lyle Howry Productions, fees were to be paid to the fighters from the show within ’30 to 45 days’ but as of yet according to the lawsuit, those involved are still waiting on the money.
The fighters were supposed to receive a weekly stipend during the filming of the show, which the suit claims were not paid. The fighters were to receive payment for participation on fights during the filming of the show, and they are claiming they have not been paid. The fighters were also supposed to receive medical compensation for their part on the show, which they are claiming non-payment on as well.
Good for the fighters for rallying together to try to get the money they’re owed, but it’s highly likely this production is broke and they’ll never see a dime. Once again, (and sadly) it looks like in the current world of Mixed Martial Arts, if the name Zuffa is not attached to a promotion or production, then the fighter is taking a risk on being paid.
And now to end on a happy note, pictures of the Ultimate Women’s Challenge hosts, Amber Nichole and Joanna Krupa:
