Dana White has denied claims that the UFC’s decision to sign a six-year deal with ‘Bud Light’ was motivated by money.
Under the terms of the deal, the beer company will sponsor the UFC starting from January 1st, 2024, in a deal reportedly worth over $100 million. The company, however, has not had the best reputation of late following their decision to run an advertising campaign with Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender influencer. The move resulted in a huge backlash as many conservative groups called for a boycott of the brand on the grounds that the company was turning to ‘woke advertising,’ Thereafter, the company’s sales declined massively. With that being said, the UFC’s deal was questioned, given the controversy that the brand had been through.
Dana White INSISTS the UFC's sponsorship deal with Bud Light isn't about money, and he couldn't care less about backlash from the beer company's Dylan Mulvaney controversy.
"It was about values, core values for me." pic.twitter.com/VZC0UsNOqI
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 26, 2023
“I have multiple (offers) in front of me. So it’s not like Bud Light showed up and they were the only option I had to get money. You know how f*****ng stupid that is? This was all about, and I said this yesterday and I’ll say it again, everybody on every side of this deal that were involved, other beer companies and everything else absolutely, positively know that this was not about money for me…I’m at a point in my life, and I’m at a point in my career, where nothing is just about money anymore,” White stated
In response, White expressed his admiration for the company’s other initiatives that went far beyond just being a beer brand. And in doing so, White talked up the company for sharing similar values that would benefit the UFC.
“I am a big military-law enforcement guy. They have this folds of honor where they’ve spent $44 million over the last however many years, fallen first responders and military people, their families get taken care of with this money. Scholarships for their kids, etc. That is right up my alley, White
Reaction
Still not buying it.
— Jeff Anderson (@cougarjeffinsa) October 27, 2023
100 million core values
— ShaggyBanks (@shaaggybanks) October 26, 2023
It’s every bit about money
— Eric Bramble (@boln247) October 26, 2023