A PYMNTS Company

UFC CEO Dana White Alleges Judge’s Personal Grudge in Antitrust Lawsuit

By  |  August 5, 2024
UFC

UFC CEO Dana White has broken his silence regarding the decade-long antitrust class action lawsuit facing his organization. According to MSN, White speculated that Judge Richard Boulware, who recently rejected a proposed $335 million settlement, might harbor a personal grudge stemming from their high school days.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    Judge Boulware’s rejection of the settlement has intensified the legal battle, pushing it toward a full jury trial set for October. This trial will address whether the UFC unlawfully used its dominant market position to suppress fighter wages, a claim strongly supported by the plaintiffs’ attorneys. MSN reports that the judge felt the proposed settlement did not adequately compensate the fighters, leaving them in a similar disadvantaged position.

    In an interview with Kevin Iole, White expressed his suspicion of bias on the judge’s part, mentioning their shared history at Bishop Gorman High School. “Let me say this — it’s probably the only thing I’ve said since this whole thing’s been going on,” White said. “It’s getting to a point now where this feels personal. You know, I went to high school with [Judge Boulware]. Me and Lorenzo went to high school with him. I don’t know what the hell me or Lorenzo did to him in high school, but this seems very, very personal.”

    Related: UFC’s $335 Million Settlement with Fighters Rejected by Federal Judge

    White continued, “I don’t think [I bullied him]. I don’t think I did anything to this guy. I don’t know what the hell happened. But there’s no doubt in my mind this feels absolutely personal, and whatever it is with this guy, we’ll let the lawyers deal with it, and it is what it is.”

    According to MSN, the ongoing lawsuit raises a critical $3 billion question: did the UFC exploit its market dominance to unfairly reduce fighter wages? White’s recent comments introduce a new narrative, suggesting personal animosity might influence the judicial process. These remarks will likely be a topic of discussion at the upcoming status conference on August 19th.

    As the UFC struggles in Boulware’s court, White’s allegations of a high school grudge offer a storyline that resonates more with the public than the complexities of antitrust law. This developing situation will undoubtedly be closely watched, both in the legal arena and the court of public opinion.

    Source: MSN