Dana White’s Power Slap League is being investigated by United States Congressmen.
The backlash toward the UFC-affiliated slap-fighting league has reached a new level. At first, fighters and media members voiced their opinions on the dangers of a defenseless combat sport, but now two politicians are looking to take action.
New Jersey’s Ninth District Representative Bill Pascrell Jr. is working alongside Nebraska’s Second District Representative Don Bacon to question the authenticity of the Power Slap League. Pascrell made the announcement on Twitter by saying:
“Today @RepDonBacon and I are asking TBS and Warner Bros about their crass new TV show “The Power Slap” glorifying terrible violence. Where are the warnings to this mindless violence? Traumatic brain injury isn’t entertainment.”
Pascrell and Bacon are passionate about the controversial topic because they are co-founders of the Congressional Traumatic Brain Injury Task Force. They also created the Traumatic Brain Injury Act, focusing on addressing brain injury prevention and research.
The two politicians have sent a letter to Warner Brothers Discovery CEO David Zaslav. They asked for specific answers regarding how the Power Slap League alerts fans and participants of the dangers associated with head injuries. The letter also requested information about the longtime medical care provided to the competitors. It’s unclear what, if anything, will result from the concerns of these congressmen.
Here’s our letter demanding answers from @warnerbros @TBSNetwork on their violent new TV show glorifying traumatic brain injury risks. pic.twitter.com/MV4rruLv6a
— Bill Pascrell, Jr. 🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@BillPascrell) February 15, 2023
Episode 5 of the Power Slap League pulls in 275,000 viewers
Dana White’s Power Slap League airs on TBS directly after All Elite Wrestling’s Wednesday night show. Therefore, the slap-fighting promotion looks to draw in a similar demographic of professional wrestling fans.
Although there was hope with episode 2 reaching 413,000 viewers, the ratings have been disappointing thus far, especially considering the UFC has strongly promoted the product. Jed I Goodman posted the official viewership numbers on Twitter by saying:
“Power Slap: Road to the Title Episode 5 averaged 275K viewers (0.09 in the 18-49 demo). Episode 4: 275K (0.08). Episode 3: 284K (0.09). Episode 2: 413K (0.13). Episode 1: 295K (0.10).”
Regardless of the backlash, the UFC president doesn’t plan on giving up anytime soon. He believes the controversy surrounding slap-fighting is similar to the hurdles he overcame to bring MMA into the mainstream. White has also relied on an argument that MMA fighters and boxers get hit 100s of times in a match, but slap-fighting competitors only get hit a maximum of three. The primary difference is that other combat athletes can defend themselves.
Power Slap: Road to the Title
Episode 5 averaged 275K viewers (0.09 in the 18-49 demo).
Episode 4: 275K (0.08).
Episode 3: 284K (0.09).
Episode 2: 413K (0.13).
Episode 1: 295K (0.10).— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) February 16, 2023
