Dana White’s brainchild, the Power Slap League, has seen some harsh feedback since its debut. Many publicly voiced their discomfort with the sport as well. Whilst Dana White is adamant that he has discovered something truly remarkable, others remain a little more diffident.
Initially, the public uproar was due to the sport’s brutal nature but shifted to the issue of low fighter pay thereafter. Previously, the UFC President revealed the safety measures in place for the fighters, however, his response to low fighter pay has left fans rather unconvinced.
Dana White responding to IG account about Power Slap pay. pic.twitter.com/HzGcHUbwSk
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) January 30, 2023
Responding to a comment, Dana White wrote on Instagram. “[This is] how MMA started too. Boxing undercards make this kind of money still. Educate yourself before you open the YAP.” As such, White believes that the pay is justified with the sport being in its early stages. Further, he states that boxers on the undercard make similar amounts as well.
Recently, fans were made aware of the low payouts that Power Slap league athletes are paid. Moreover, Eric Spicely, a former UFC middleweight, was reportedly in discussions to join the Power Slap League. However, the measly $2,000 to show and $2,000 to win was easy for the fighter to decline.
For the most part, fans believe that White’s explanation for defending the pay is unreasonable. With the sport being labeled as “free brain trauma” by some fans, one would expect the organization to compensate their fighters in a much better way. Thus, netizens have gone on a row, trolling Dana White for wanting to “watch knockouts for much less pay.”
Dana White’s excuse for low pay failed to convince fans
Understandably, the laughable payouts saw some negative remarks all over social media. Clearly, the news did not sit well with fight fans, with many posting their reactions online. Let’s take a look at some of the reactions to Dana White defending the low fighter pay along with reactions to the Power Slap League, in general.
Dana White a billionaire is really taking advantage of these folks competing in the Power Slap league. Now amount of money can indemnify the impact of those slaps.
— O F O R I (@ofori03) January 30, 2023
Dana White just announced that anyone who watches this week’s Power Slap League will automatically be eligible to Compete in next week’s show.
— MMA Roasted (@MMARoasted) January 26, 2023
That Power Slap League thing people keep sharing videos from is shocking. People defencelessly getting their brain rattled to the point where they collapse, all for entertainment, is – obviously – completely irresponsible. How is there an audience for that?
— Si Lloyd (@SmnLlyd5) January 20, 2023
— Out Of Context MMA (@oocmma) January 23, 2023
4k for guaranteed brain damage is wild
— Gene (@GeneRogersVE) January 23, 2023
Dana must be stopped
— Milshon Lathan (@KidMilz) January 23, 2023
Ever since its inception, Power Slap has seen negative responses from a number of high-profile personalities as well. Most notably, boxer Ryan Garcia and MMA fighters like Cris Cyborg and Al Iaquinta were all very critical of the league. Prior to the uproar about inadequate remuneration for the fighters, people were complaining about the lasting effects of competing in the sport.
In a viral video, we saw the incredibly disfigured face of a slap fighter in Romania. Enduring such a risk and taking so much damage on a regular basis leads to an increased risk of Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) or permanent brain damage. Although some have vouched for the sport, stating that only the people that like it should watch it, the response overall is a net negative.
This could also be seen via the viewership for the first episode of Power Slap. The show’s debut saw an underwhelming 295,000 viewers on TBS. On the same day, AEW Dynamite drew in around 969,000 viewers on TBS, on a not-so-special night for the wrestling promotion. Although the viewership has since gone up by a reported 30%, the audience scores remain at a dire 55%.
What did you make of Dana White’s response to the low pay? How much should Slap league athletes be paid according to you? Will the show and the sport survive in the long run? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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