Remember that little ban on MMA Oklahoma decided to impose we told you about around a month ago? Well, you can all stop raging and your boycotting of Oklahoma and its products right now. Go ahead and restock your fridge full of those 88 cent packs of yummy Bar-S nitrite filled mystery smooshed meat particle hot dogs once again because we no longer have to feel hate and anger towards the state of Oklahoma. Oklahoma has quickly come to their senses and decided to rethink their futile attempts to stuff the life out of our favorite sport within the OK state lines.
ESPN.com and Josh Gross spoke to Joe Miller of the state’s athletic commission who told them the commission is now awaiting word from the State Attorney General to ‘change the language’ of a tax statute that caused the UFC to threaten the state with legal action. The commission has begun issuing event permits again as of yesterday.
“We will be open for business on April 2nd. A legislative solution to the problem is under way, and should be solidified by the end of April.”
The issue stems from a 4% pay per view tax imposed by the Oklahoma athletic commission on all the promotors of combat sport events regardless of where their event actually takes place. The UFC got wind of the tax and said a big N-O to what was essentially a double taxation on their pay per view cards. Apparently the UFC flexed their legal muscle and the lawsuit threats caused the state to nix the idea of banning MMA and combat sports. Victory! You can now revisit those exciting forced family fun summer roadtrip plans to the National Cowboy Museum without feelling like you are supporting an enemy. [source]
