UFC president Dana White is in the news for violence, but within his marriage, not in the Octagon. White was seen in a now-viral video slapping his wife, Anne White, after she first smacked him across the face during a New Year’s Eve party in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
White spoke about the incident to explain what transpired. What was missing from his statement was a willingness to admit that he’s placed the UFC franchise in jeopardy.
This is the Dana White video in question for those who missed it. Pick an athlete, owner or coach in ANY other sport that could be caught on video slapping their wife and it just kinda goes away. pic.twitter.com/wwyw6M7Q2P
— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) January 3, 2023
Why Did Dana White Slap His Wife?
“You’ve heard me say over the years, ‘There is never, ever an excuse for a guy to put his hands on a woman,’ and now here I am,” White said to TMZ. “My wife and I have been married for almost 30 years. We’ve known each other since we were 12 years old. We’ve obviously been through some s**t together. We’ve got three kids.
“This is one of those situations that’s horrible, I’m embarrassed, but it’s also one of those situations that right now we’re more concerned about our kids. We have three kids, and obviously, since the video popped up, we’ve shown the kids the video, and we’re more focused on our family right now.
“I’m literally making no excuses for this thing at all. It’s never happened before. It’s the first time it’s ever happened. People are going to say what they’re going to say and it is what is. Whatever people say is deserved. I deserve it.”
If @danawhite really meant anything he’s ever said about men hitting women, he would resign from his job as president of the @ufc. You don’t bounce back from that, that’s what you said before Dana, isn’t that right?
— Huey P. (@_HueyP) January 3, 2023
Does UFC Boss Dana White Have Unchecked Power?
White has been the unabashed leader of the mixed martial arts phenomenon, helping evolve it into a billion-dollar industry. Once looked at as “human cockfighting” by the late U.S. Senator John McCain, White partnered with Las Vegas casino magnates Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta to create a regulated sport that is now a powerhouse.
The three were able to sell their company to Endeavor for $4 billion in 2016. White stayed on as president and the veritable face of the company, which has had its share of issues. Mainly the disparities in fighter pay which White has always been defensive over. The organization has resisted any attempts at unionizing its athletes, and outspoken critics like Jake Paul and more have been vocally opposed to how White runs the business.
Per @CNBC
UFC parent company @Endeavor shares closed -6% today after video of UFC president Dana White striking his wife in a Mexican club continues to circulate.
— Will Everett (@WillyBeansMMA) January 3, 2023
Dana White’s Behavior Affecting The Money
More importantly, the UFC is owned by not only Endeavor but also some of its biggest celebrity clients like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Serena Williams, Mark Wahlberg, and more. There is not an owners system like the NBA, MLB, NHL, or NFL, and White has been able to move within the game like an unchecked brat. He bullies fighters he disagrees with at press conferences and openly supported Donald Trump during his reelection attempt when the nation was highly polarized.
Now his actions have created a negative impact on Endeavor stock.
Should Dana White Be Fired As UFC President?
Immediately, the expected consequences for a major sports organization’s president slapping his wife were discussed on social media; termination. If NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was caught doing the same, he would probably be fired by the owners. With White even expanding the UFC’s nontraditional combat sports market share with the addition of the Power Slap League, it opens up the conversation about what limits there are in the world’s largest MMA organization.
What Did Anne White Say About Dana White?
Since the incident, Anne White issued a statement excusing her husband’s actions and calling it an isolated incident., However, that is a matter between her, law enforcement, and potentially a divorce lawyer. For the UFC, whose interests are now bigger than White and his friend’s passion project, the world is waiting to see what the organization stands for.
