Rubio Signs Sports Diplomacy Deal With UFC Ahead of Weekend Fight at White House |
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On Thursday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced an agreement with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a mixed-martial arts sports company, to create a public-private partnership for “sports diplomacy” efforts across the globe.
Ostensibly, the agreement would be similar to other sports diplomacy partnerships, such as one the White House struck with the NFL, that use sports to promote the United States around the world. But the new partnership renews concerns about possible conflicts of interest between the franchise and President Donald Trump, who purchased up to $50,000 in stocks in UFC’s parent company, TKO Holdings, in May.
Additionally, the partnership comes as the UFC is planning to hold an event on the White House South Lawn this weekend. The promotion of that event, advertising and sponsorship deals, and VIP ticket sales costing up to $1.5 million could net a large profit for UFC and its shareholders.
The event, titled “UFC Freedom 250,” will take place on June 14. While it is being billed as part of the country’s 250th birthday celebrations, the event also coincides with Trump’s 80th birthday.
At the signing event, Rubio claimed that the U.S. partnership with UFC was meant to bridge divides.
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“We are so divided by so many different things…there are only a handful of things that bring people together in one place at one time, united by their interest in one thing,” Rubio said.
In a message on its website, the State........