For those of you who follow mixed martial arts, Georges St-Pierre’s name certainly rings a bell. According to the famed fighter’s website, St-Pierre has been training since he was 7 years old, when he started studying Kyokushin karate.
Since then, the 170-lbs fighter earned 25 wins, succumbing to defeat only twice in his career. Despite St-Pierre’s dedication and talent, he hasn’t made many headlines in the ring over the past few years. In 2013, the fighter announced he would be leaving the UFC indefinitely, indicating that he wanted to pursue other endeavors.
However, that song changed this year. According to Sports Illustrated, St-Pierre intended to return to the ring in 2016, but a contract dispute between St.-Pierre and the UFC stanched such discussions.
New UFC regulations put a hitch in Georges St-Pierre’s plans
ESPN noted that St-Pierre announced his free agency on “The MMA Hour” in late October, asserting that his lawyer James Quinn terminated the former welterweight champion’s agreement with the UFC. In contrast, the UFC still viewed St-Pierre as a rostered athlete. In a statement, the professional MMA league asserted that St-Pierre is still in an existing contract with UFC’s parent company, Zuffa, LLC, which has every intention of honoring the agreement, which should compel St-Pierre to reciprocate under the eyes of the law.
What complicated St-Pierre’s return? ESPN noted the fighter’s contract was signed before the UFC established an exclusive apparel agreement with Reebok in 2014. Sports Illustrated noted that before St-Pierre announced he was taking an indefinite leave from fighting in 2013, the UFC wasn’t regulating fighter apparel. Its athletes could wear sponsored gear and attire to attract more revenue. MMA Fighting noted that, after the Reebok deal took place, fighters were no longer permitted to wear sponsorship apparel, a policy which received much backlash from the league’s participants.
“[The Reebok deal] changed a lot of things in my contract,” said St-Pierre, as quoted by MMA Fighting. In the background of this, WME-IMG purchased UFC when St-Pierre wasn’t fighting for a whopping $4.2 billion, further complicating the fighter’s contract, according to MMA Fighting.
Georges St-Pierre’s lawyer renegotiating deal
As of right now, St-Pierre’s contract with the UFC is terminated. MMA Mania noted Quinn, who isn’t a stranger to tussling with large sports organizations, claimed he was astounded upon reading St-Pierre’s contract. Apparently, the agreement placed a lot of restrictions on the fighter.
“[The UFC is] basically tying him up for life,” said Quinn. “They have no rights and they own all of his licensing and all the other things. It’s unheard of in the other professional sports. And they won’t get away with it forever … I don’t think the contract – that formal contract – is likely to stand up. Not in today’s world. It’s a pretty nice form of slavery.”
Common Causes of Partnership Disputes and How to Resolve Them
Business partnerships, much like marriages, function exceptionally well when partners are aligned but can become challenging when disagreements arise. Partnership disputes often stem from conflicts over business strategy, financial management, and unclear role definitions among partners. Understanding Business Partnership Conflicts Partnership conflicts place significant stress on businesses, making proactive measures essential. Partnerships should establish detailed […]
Businesses Are Facing Financial Headwinds—A Practical Guide
*** The original article was featured on Bloomberg Tax, April 28, 2025 — As a tax attorney who spends much of my time helping people and companies who have large, unresolved issues with the IRS or one or more state tax departments, it often occurs to me that the best service that I can provide […]
President Trump's Termination of Member Gwynne Wilcox
On January 28, 2025, the Trump Administration terminated Gwynne Wilcox from her position as a Member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or the Board). Gwynne Wilcox, a union side lawyer for Levy Ratner, was confirmed to the Board for an original term in 2021 and confirmed again for a successive five-year term expiring […]
Breach of Contract Explained: Types and Consequences
Breach of contract disputes are the most common type of business litigation. Therefore, nearly all New York and New Jersey businesses will likely have to deal with a contract dispute at least once. Understanding when to file a breach of contract lawsuit and how long you have to sue for breach of contract is essential […]
How to Dissolve a Corporation in New Jersey: A Step-by-Step Guide
Closing your business can be a difficult and challenging task. For corporations, the process includes formal approval of the dissolution, winding up operations, resolving tax liabilities, and filing all required paperwork. Whether you need to understand how to dissolve a corporation in New York or New Jersey, it’s imperative to take all of the proper […]
Gross Lease vs. Net Lease: Understanding the Key Differences
Commercial leases can take a variety of forms, which is often confusing for both landlords and tenants. Understanding the different types, especially the gross lease structure, is important when selecting the lease that best suits your needs. One key distinction between lease types is how rent is calculated and paid. This article addresses the two […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
