My state senator Jose Peralta was among a bipartisan majority in New York’s highest law-making chamber to vote in favor of legislation legalizing mixed martial arts events in the state. On a vote of 43-14, the full senate adopted a measure last week that would modify a 1920 law regulating boxing and wrestling matches in New York. The bill awaits consideration in the state assembly where that body’s leader has long expressed reservations about mixed martial arts. Should it somehow gain passage in the assembly, it’s near certain the bill would gain the signature of Governor Cuomo given the amount of campaign contributions he’s accepted from MMA supporters.
All but a handful of states allow combatants to unleash violent kicks and near-bare fists in a cage before a live audience. A coalition of powerful entities that would profit handsomely from the sport’s legalization here includes the folks who run Madison Square Garden. Under the senate-passed bill, the commission that currently regulates boxing in New York would be on the hook to insure tight oversight of MMA events.
While my position may seem contradictory given my support for the sport of boxing, I oppose legalization of MMA in New York given the prospect it would leave participants dazed, bloodied and neurologically damaged after just a minute or two in the cage. Boxing can produce the same outcome but has a long body of history that doesn’t include the kind of outright exposure to mayhem produced in a MMA cage.
New York’s resistance to MMA is grounded in solid reasoning. The range of sports available here for live consumption need not include MMA no matter its rising popularity and backing of a major television network.
-Two departing airliners in the last week were forced to make emergency landings at New York-area airports after striking birds shortly after takeoff. Appearing as a paid on-air aviation consultant on CBS News Wednesday night, Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger warned of more to come as long as communities continue to allow activity that attract birds in close proximity to runways. Sully was highly critical of the new waste transfer facility nearing completion on Flushing Bay across from LaGuardia Airport. He called it “a terrible idea.” Indeed it is. The new garbage depot and the barges that carry away waste from it will most certainly encourage gulls and geese to get in the way of planes launching from runway 13. It boggles the mind that Sully’s warning alone wouldn’t scuttle the enterprise but the building is so far along now it appears just months away from going online.
-Mets radio play-by-play man Howie Rose will miss this weekend’s three-game set in Denver to personally accept enshrinement into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in Commack, NY. Rose is one of nine inductees to be honored Sunday. This is the 20th annual induction. Among the broadcasters already in the Jewish Hall are Mel Allen, Marv Albert, Warner Wolf and Bonnie Bernstein. At the rate Howie is going, he may have a shot to get a plaque in Cooperstown someday. Rose’s rookie partner Josh Lewin will sub as the primary radio voice for the Rockies series before Rose re-joins the team in Houston.