Three months after WME-IMG's acquisition of UFC, layoffs are "headed to the industry-leading fight promotion," according to Steven Marrocco of MMA JUNKIE. Sources said that layoffs "amount to ‘under 15 percent’ of the UFC’s total staff, which is estimated to be around 400 employees worldwide." UFC is based in Las Vegas and has offices in L.A., Toronto, London, Sao Paulo and Singapore. Sources said that WME-IMG "has no plans to close any international offices." Layoffs will "come in multiple departments, including sponsorships, licensing, public relations and production, though there are no immediate plans to reduce the UFC’s event schedule" (MMAJUNKIE.com, 10/18). MMA WEEKLY's Ken Pishna wrote yesterday was a "dark day" at UFC HQ. The company "executed a round of layoffs, which is expected to total somewhere between 60 and 80 employees." The move "wasn’t a complete surprise, as layoffs frequently take place when a large company is purchased" (MMAWEEKLY.com, 10/18). DEADLINE's Nellie Andreeva reported the layoffs are "said to be affecting largely areas where there is duplication with IMG’s existing infrastructure including sponsorship, licensing and marketing" (DEADLINE.com, 10/18).
MOVING ON: In Las Vegas, Adam Hill reports the "biggest names on the chopping block" included UFC Chief Global Brand Officer Garry Cook and UFC Exec VP & Chief Content Officer Marshall Zelaznik. Cook, who "oversaw international business development for the UFC," had been with the promotion since '12. Zelaznik, whose "main focus was on building the organization’s successful online platform, Fight Pass," had worked for the promotion for 10 years. Several "major moves have been announced in the last few months," including the resignation of matchmaker Joe Silva and the departure of UFC VP/PR, Athlete Marketing & Development Dave Sholler, who accepted a position with the 76ers (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/19).
