Protecting the UFC’s image is a valid reason for the UFC to refuse the RH airtime on their broadcasts.

The “Ban-Wagon” (and I really don’t like the term “ban,” personally, because that implies something more sweeping than what we’re actually talking about) is about the UFC exercising an authority they already have, and already use, in a specific instance.

Again, this is not the government. You don’t have to be worried about “setting precedence” because the UFC is allowed to work on a case-by-case basis when it comes to approving sponsors.

If you want to argue that “banning” t-shirts is a slippery slope, then you have to acknowledge that the UFC has already “banned” some sponsors because they are either direct organizational competitors or competitors with other Fertitta businesses.

If you want to argue that they shouldn’t do it because “it offends people,” then I have to disagree with you.

They should absolutely minimize broadcasting behavior or logos that offend people. They are (like all sports organizations) an entertainment organization. They have to make a point of appealing to viewers, and they can’t do that if the integrity of the brand is compromised.

One of the reasons the UFC has managed to land much bigger sponsors is because the UFC has demonstrated that it is both good at and interested in protecting its brand. That’s corporatism.

I don’t necessarily like it, but that’s the reality of it. (by the way, my argument is not that they “should” prohibit the shirts, but rather that it’s better for them if they do)

Is it a fair characterization? Debatable. (My answer is “No. Though its pretty shady stuff.”)

My problem with HR is the use of symbols generally used by the American Neo-Nazi, skinhead and white nationalist movements. Unless the guys at HR are complete morons, it’s a clear attempt to market to those groups. That’s the association the UFC doesn’t want to make. (The “Oh, brands that sell to Neo-Nazis are advertising, so they must think Neo-Nazis are watching the UFC.”)

Frankly, I hope Neo-Nazis do watch the UFC, for the same reason I hope the Nazi party paid very close attention to Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics, but I think the UFC does have to make that decision. There was a lot of press early in the history of the sport about association with noted racists, so it’s something to be careful of.

Gangster rap is an entirely different rant for me.

It’s not like the UFC has to worry about a precedence issue. It’s not the court system.

The UFC is entitled to handle sponsorships on a case-by-case basis, and they do. HR is a case that they don’t want to be associated with, so don’t allow them to sponsor fighters associated with the organization.

Its pathetic that this kind of stuff is not only allowed in the “Superbowl of MMA,” but on top of that you have idiots defending this crap. I feel sorry for all the fighters who are evidently so poor they have to accept money from Nazis.

Would the NFL, NBA, or Major League Baseball allow one of the their players to wear this awful crap? I doubt it. If UFC wants to be taken seriously, they need to draw the line somewhere.

But I go back and check out the logo, the helmets, and the rest of symbolism (fourth reich? yikes) and I’m not convinced.

How would people feel if someone had a MMA shirt that alluded to a pair of burning towers in NYC? People would flip out.