Joe Clancy Joe WallaceDaniel Ledesma

INTRODUCTION TO SPORT ADMINISTRATION (SPB 3003 - 001)

Management structure of the organization

The UCF has a Flat Organization management structure. It has few levels of management interacting with its 110 employees. Based out of Las Vegas, Nevada and Owned by Zuffa, LLC. UFC promotes events all over the world.

Organizational chart

ORGANIZATIONS GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

• UFC aims to train best fighters in the world, while giving innovations to its programs and events. It also aims to go into business partnerships with high-end distribution partners.

• Since it is the fastest developing sports organization in the whole wide world, it aims to promote mixed martial arts at a global level.

Goals and Objectives cont’d

It also aims to arrange tournaments of highly skilled athletes in various disciplines of martial arts including karate, jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, boxing, wrestling, grappling, sumo and various other fighting sports. UFC has another objective of broadcasting UFC programming in more than 149 countries, which would reach half a billion viewers all around the world, in more than 20 different languages.

Goals and objectives cont’d

Currently, UFC is synchronized in 45 out of 48 states which have athletic commissions. Last, but not the least, UFC aims to strive for the greatest proficiency in matters of safety, quality, and excellence of all martial arts played by its athletes and fighters.

Goals and Objectives cont’d

In short, UFC is a fast growing organization promoting mixed martial arts and organizing tournaments and events all over the world. It has great career opportunities, since it is broadening its horizon to digital media and technology. The goals and objectives of this organization include promotion of martial arts; arranging of tournaments; broadcasting its programming worldwide; and, maintaining safety and quality in martial arts.

Competition and the Market

EliteXC – An organization that made it to network television with YouTube star Kimbo Slice, but declared bankruptcy in 2008, leaving their talent to go to the UFC.

StrikeForce, who was the UFC’s rival, was just recently bought out by the UFC in March for $34 million.

WEC merged with the UFC in 2011. UFC has their foot down on the MMA world.

Competition in the Market cont’d

WEC & UFC Merger Four UFC events have aired live on Versus in

2011, which was home to the WEC before the merger.

The UFC has also added the WEC’S 135, 145, and 145 pound weight classes.

This is great for the UFC as far as expansion goes, but not for the “lower-tier” fighters.

(SB Nation)

Competition and the Market cont’d

UFC Fighter pay The top five percent of fighters are paid very

well, but the bottom of the list fighters can make as little as $6000 per fight if they lose (Barr).

Some fighters believe they can not do anything because the UFC is the biggest organization of MMA and with out any union or fighter’s association, they are at the UFC’s “mercy” (Barr)

Rob Maysey is an attorney that in 2005 founded the Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Association to work for better pay for all MMA fighters (Gross).

Career Opportunities in the Organization

The UFC is highly interested in people who are passionate about MMA and their mission.

The UFC official website offers employment notifications, where the company is looking for positions to be filled.

Currently looking for positions in:-Administration/General Management-Finance-Production Services-Sales & Marketing-Internships

UFC Career Opportunities

The official UFC website lists all requirements and responsibilities for each position they are looking for

Administrative/General Management-HR/Recruiting -- The main objective is staffing.-Executive Assistant – Works closely with Senior Management and provides support to multiple Executive Leaders.

UFC Career Opportunities cont’d

Finance

Digital Research Analyst Objective– Provide analytical solutions

regarding marketing effectiveness, across marketing channels, to improve client decision-making (UFC Official).

UFC Career Opportunities cont’d

Production Services Audio/Video Editing and Production-Editor-- This position is responsible for editing

long-form programming and short-form content for broadcast and new media platforms (UFC Official).

-Editor—Spanish-- This position works on multiple projects, often simultaneously. The primary responsibility of the position is the creation of elements for promoting the show as well as elements implemented in the show – broadcast and in-house (UFC Official).

UFC Career Opportunities cont’d

Sales and Marketing Senior Director of International Marketing

Partnerships-The Senior Director of International Marketing Partnerships will generate revenue by selling across the portfolio of UFC international entities (UFC Official).

Research Coordinator-Coordinates the day to day project management of

research projects for event planning, sponsorship, public relations, marketing, digital media and other business segments (UFC Official)

Internships are also available for both the UFC and WEC.

ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS VITAL TO THE ORGANIZATION

• UFC has offered free fights to entice viewers

• UFC’s rapid success brings in new sponsorships, new deals

• UFC recruits ex-NBA executive to lead Asia-expansion

Free Fights showcase new UFC

UFC will show UFC42 Sudden Impact free.

The broadcast will include a special behind the scenes look at the UFC.

The free event will also showcase a big time fight.

(Sport Business Research Network)

Sponsorships and Network deals

UFC is now looked at as a “mainstream competitive sport.”

With rapid success of UFC, wireless provider Boost Mobile signs sponsorship deal.

UFC has agreed to a seven year broadcast deal with FOX network estimated to be worth $100 million.

New deal ends UFC’s run with Spike.

(Sport Business Research Network)

Enters the ex-NBA executive

Mark Fisher – takes over as new executive vice president and managing director of Asia.

Objective: Expand UFC television programming throughout the entire continent.

Chinese version of ‘Ultimate Fighter’ is expected to start the expansion of television programming.

(Sport Business Research Network)

References

Barr, John. Gross, Josh. ESPN.com. OTL- Fighter Pay. http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/page/UFCpay/ufc-fighters-say-low-pay-most-painful-hit-all

Dure, Beau. USA Today. UFC president tries out softer stance in business matter. 9/15/2009. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/mma/2009-09-15-ultimate-fighter-new-season_N.htm

Helwani, Ariel. OpenCalais. SBNation Newsletters. WEC UFC to merge in 2011. http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/28/dana-white-wec-ufc-to-merge-in-2011

Sport Business Research Network. SBRnet 2011. UFC Recruits Ex-NBA Executive to Lead Asia Expansion. SportBusiness Newslines.

References

Sport Business Research Network. SBRnet2011. UFC Boosted by Mobile Partnership. SportBusiness Newslines.

SportsPipe. Ultimate Fighting Offers Free Match. April 8th 2003.

UFC Official Website. Copyright 2012 Zuffa, LLC. Part of the USA Today UFC Group. http://mmajobs.teamworkonline.com/teamwork/jobs/default.cfm.

References

Works CitedIndeed. Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Indeed, 2012. Web. 10 Apr 2012. <http://www.indeed.com/cmp/Ultimate-Fighting-Championship-(ufc)>.

Simply Hired Inc. Ultimate Fighting Championship Jobs. N.p., 2012. Web. 10 Apr 2012. <http://www.simplyhired.com/a/jobs/list/q-ultimate+fighting+championship>..