The sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) is growing rapidly in the U.S. Its increasing popularity through promotion companies such as the UFC and Strikeforce has reached fans everywhere. Three states however, including New York, deem professional mixed martial arts illegal.

This year’s rally will feature former New York state Assemblyman Michael Benjamin and Cage Fury Fighting Championships President Rob Haydak, as well as an MMA documentary film festival that evening in conjunction with Madison Square Garden which will be free to attend. The information on this year’s rally:

The rally will be held on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s New York City Office at 633 Third Avenue, NY, NY, 10017. Between 40th – 41st Streets.

Mixed martial arts competitions have generated tremendous economic benefits across the country. These events have among the highest average ticket revenues of any sporting event—some events have averaged over $340 a ticket. In markets similar to upstate New York, such as Columbus, Ohio, mixed martial arts events have been huge successes. In 2010, Columbus produced a live gate of $2 million and according to the Ohio Athletic Commission, the event produced $11 million of economic activity for the city.

From a State perspective, these events would produce approximately $3.5 million in annual General Fund revenue from sales, personal income, business income, gate/broadcast and auto rental taxes. Assembly bill A4146-A and Senate bill S1701-A, which would authorize the Athletic Commission to regulate the sport, raises the gate tax from 3.5 percent to 8.5 percent and lifts the current $50,000 cap, contributing to the estimate. In addition to the State, approximately $1 million would be raised in local taxes as a result of the six estimated events annually. 

In terms of the number of annual events, UFC, the premier professional mixed martial league, has already committed to hold at least one event in the New York metropolitan area and two events upstate if the sport is legalized. It is reasonable to assume that other existing leagues will hold a similar if not increased number of events in New York.

Join us on Tuesday as we call on Governor Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to support legalization of professional mixed martial arts events in New York.

After the rally, there will be a free MMA Film Festival [http://www.headkicklegend.com/2012/3/3/2841282/nyc-rally-and-free-documentary-filmfest-on-march-6th]. For more details, click here.