It's always been one of the bizarre phenomenons at MMA events.
What other sport has fans that give raucous ovations to "name" referees? For some reason, many MMA fans enjoy seeing "Big" John McCarthy and Herb Dean and show them the love. Somehow we don't see that happening anytime soon at baseball game with "Cowboy" Joe West or in the NBA with Joey Crawford.
McCarthy recognizes this oddit and he along with certain promoters may be cashing in on it. That doesn't sit right with Canadian promoter Mark Pavelich. The MFC chief throws a lot of bull at the wall and generally none of it sticks, but this time, he may have uncovered a pretty serious issue.
Pavelich says promoters are paying some MMA referees extra "appearance" fees to work events.
"It's outrageous and absolutely inappropriate. These certain referees are charging anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 just to show up, bark out a catchphrase, and supervise a fight. But these fees aren't being paid by any commission. They are paid by a show owner or promoter," Pavelich said in a recent MFC newsletter. "[...]
And how can you not call into question the ethics of these referees. Would you not expect their loyalties to be torn when some promoter is willing to pay them 10K, and that same referee is then calling the action when the promoter's top fighters are in action."
Pavelich says commissions need to lay down the law.
"There are a number of very good referees out there, including those that have worked recent MFC events. But even they shouldn't be allowed to just toss out a price tag, or have a commission toss out one for them. There should be a pay scale in place ? here's what you get paid (plus reasonable expenses) … take it or leave it," said Pavelich.
McCarthy responded to Pavelich on MMA.tv's Underground Forum and in doing so confirmed that he has received additional dollars to work events.
If I have a promoter contact me about working their show it is my right to ask for whatever fee I feel is fair. Most of the time that promoter is using my name to help promote their show and I should be compensated for that because it goes beyond the normal scope of the job. Now they are using you to help possibly sell tickets," said McCarthy.
In a sense McCarthy is right, that's not fair. But he also has the right to tell the promoter that his name can't be used in any promotional efforts to push the event.
"Have I ever made $10,000 to work a show, No. I have made different amounts of money throughout my career," McCarthy wrote. "Last night I worked a show and made $280 for the night."
McCarthy alleges that Pavelich is only pushing the issue as part of an agenda to help out a Canadian friend/official who's been left out of UFC 129 and several other big events in Canada.
Does anyone else see the potential problem here? In no way are we saying McCarthy, Dean or any of the other big-name referees would do a favor for a promoter or one of their star fighters, but anything that could potentially put any referee's integrity into question has to be stymied before the issue arises.
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