ESPN, FSN Threaten Pay Cut For Boxers Wearing Corporate Tats

ESPN and FSN, working with boxing promoters Bob Arum and Cedric Kushner — all of whom are against boxers wearing body tattoos for commercial purposes — "have made it clear they are prepared to hit where it hurts: Taking a cut out of the fighter's fee for any tattoo that is not preapproved," according to Charles Elmore of the PALM BEACH POST. The networks are "rewriting contracts to clear up any confusion," as they are "not in the business of handing out free air time for advertising." ESPN Dir of Boxing Bob Yalen: "Our mail is running at least 10-to-1 against it, and one of the letters was written from a prison. The writer said 'I'm sick of this and I'm not watching anymore.'" Elmore added, "When you've lost the 'convicted felon' demographic on a tattoo issue, you know things have gone to extremes." But FL-based Big Boxing agent Joe Lear said, "Let the fighters have control of their own skin, [and] let them capitalize the most they can for the few moments they're in the ring" (PALM BEACH POST, 4/30).