Vitor Belfort Has Lost Millions Because Of Reebok
The negative comments about Reebok continue to roll in.
The UFC – Reebok sponsorship has been highly controversial since the original deal was announced. There have been reports in the past that the deal is not working out how the two sides thought it was going to be and that sales are down. It also doesn’t help that fighters are paid dramatically less in sponsorship than they were once paid before Reebok came into the picture.
Vitor Belfort‘s wife Joana Prado recently said in an interview with ESPN that her husband has lost millions because of the Reebok deal, including the 9ine pullout:
“As a business woman, I understand why 9ine cut ties with the UFC. Vitor has lost millions for years because of the new sponsorship policy. Thank God he is an athlete whose reach goes beyond the cage, and he has other businesses. Fighting has become a hobby, but he was harmed much like the other fighters with this new business model. We have a great relationship with Ronaldo (9ine’s owner) and all the 9ine crew. We wish them success.”
Belfort (25-11) is on a one-fight winning streak. In his last six bouts, he is 4-2. Belfort is coming off a first-round knockout win over Dan Henderson at UFC Fight Night 77.
UFC President Dana White commented on the criticism that the deal has received from fans, fighters, and media members alike recently by saying that the deal is a “home run” and that “we’ve only just begun,” when speaking to The Telegraph in Dublin in Dublin after UFC Fight Night 76.
Do you think Reebok is good for the UFC or bad? Should have the UFC signed a deal with the apparel company or not? Let us know in the comment area below.
