Bellator Sues Alvarez: Updates from todays court session

Mike Chiappetta MMA‏@MikeChiappetta

I'm in the courtroom for the Eddie Alvarez hearing that could determine his fighting future. I spoke to him; he's nervous but hopeful.

Mike Chiappetta MMA‏@MikeChiappetta

Early on, Judge Linares seems skeptical that Alvarez would be irreparably harmed by missing out on UFC 159 opportunity

Mike Chiappetta MMA‏@MikeChiappetta

FOX vs Spike is being argued now, and whether that is a fair match in the contract.

Mike Chiappetta MMA‏@MikeChiappetta

Alvarez's attorney arguing that Bellator saying they will put him on PPV's is an "illusory" match.

Mike Chiappetta MMA‏@MikeChiappetta

Judge to Alvarez's side on Bellator's PPV match issue: "you're asking me to assume they're going to breach a contract".

Mike Chiappetta MMA‏@MikeChiappetta

Alvarez counsel citing his world ranking dipping due to public perception of Bellator as issue of non-monetary damages.

Mike Chiappetta MMA‏@MikeChiappetta

Bellator counsel saying Spike/Viacom platform has proven strong launching point for PPV.

Mike Chiappetta MMA‏@MikeChiappetta

Bellator attorney says a match is "monetary, plain & simple," and says they matched.

Mike Chiappetta MMA‏@MikeChiappetta

Bellator: "you can't suggest with a straight face that Fox is better than Spike. They're both mega-entities."

Mike Chiappetta MMA‏@MikeChiappetta

Bellator attorney: "I'm representing to the court that yes, we have a major fight lined up" for #Alvarez

Mike Chiappetta MMA ‏@MikeChiappetta

Decision on #Alvarez will be made later today. Either judge will grant injunction allowing him to fight at UFC 159, or court process goes on

Mike Chiappetta MMA ‏@MikeChiappetta

I spoke to Eddie at conclusion of hearing. He feels 50/50 on outcome but feels the judge was fair with his questions. Waiting game now.

Quote :

Bellator: "you can't suggest with a straight face that Fox is better than Spike. They're both mega-entities."

2 shows on Spike with Bellator, one ratings detail released:
Bellator 85 - 938,000 viewers.
Bellator 86 - We'll find out later today.

Fox Networks UFC event programming comparison:
UFC on FOX 1 - 5.7 million viewers
UFC on FOX 2 - 4.7 million viewers
UFC on FOX 3 - 2.25 million viewers
UFC on FOX 4 - 2.36 million viewers
UFC on FOX 5 - 3.41 million viewers
UFC on FX 1 - 1.3 million viewers
UFC on FX 2 - 1.4 million viewers
UFC on FX 3 - 1.1 million viewers
UFC on FX 4 - 1.3 million viewers
UFC on FX 5 - 1.1 million viewers
UFC on FX 6 - 970,000 viewers
UFC on FX 7 - 1.9 million viewers
UFC on Fuel 1 - 217,000 viewers
UFC on Fuel 2 - 197,000 viewers
UFC on Fuel 3 - 173,000 viewers
UFC on Fuel 4 - 300,000 viewers
UFC on Fuel 5 - 140,000 viewers
UFC on Fuel 6 - 143,000 viewers


Average viewers per Bellator on Spike event - 938,000 viewers
Average viewers per UFC on a Fox Network event - 1.6 Million viewers

FOX is better than Spike.

Court ruled on Eddie's injunction

I hope they rule in Eddie's favor.

They didnt. He was denied.

That's some bullshit!

I think this thing is having an effect on the future landscape of the sport.

The chances of Eddie winning that were slim. As far as the actual trial, I still have a hard time believing the Fox-Spike difference won't win him the case

I wonder if Eddie will be at or on the rumble tonight to stick it tna.

GDPofDRC wrote:

I think this thing is having an effect on the future landscape of the sport.

http://www.mmafighting.com/2013/1/28/3922486/morning-report-dana-white-fighters-think-long-and-hard-signing-bellator-ufc-on-fox-6-results

In this way, the business of contracts, who signs where when and why for how much, this is changing it in Zuffa and other I think.

Certification of Dave Meltzer filed in Alvarez-Bellator lawsuit





February 11, 2013



MMA Fighting and the Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer has filed a
certification of UFC PPV numbers in a recent filing in the Eddie
Alvarez-Bellator lawsuit. Meltzer, filing on behalf of Alvarez, attests
to UFC PPV buy rates and makes an estimate on buy rates featuring GSP
and Jon Jones.

Notably, in the January 24, 2013 certification, he testified that
cards headlined by GSP average 770K PPV buys excluding UFC 100. Jon
Jones’ average between 500-525K buys. His Certification also includes a
breakdown of UFC PPV buys over the last 3 years. The premise is that
Alvarez would have appeared on a card which headlined GSP or Jones.

In the Certification, he indicates that he is “one of the best, if
not the best, source of pay per view buy rates in mixed martial arts.”
Meltzer states that he has reviewed the Declaration of Ray Longboard
as it relates to Mr. Longboard’s opinion that Alvarez would not have
received 200K PPV buys if he were to appear on a UFC PPV. Mr.
Longboard’s Declaration was filed in conjunction with Bellator’s
opposition brief to Alvarez’s request for a preliminary injunction.

Meltzer states that the UFC has averaged between 450K to 475K PPV
buys over the last 3 years. Only twice did the UFC draw 200K or below in
those 3 years according to Meltzer.

Meltzer stated that if Alvarez appeared on a PPV with GSP, the buy
rate would exceed 680K PPV buys. He stated that a Jones PPV with
Alvarez participating would exceed 450K PPV buys.

Meltzer indicates that the “buy rates are an approximations which are
calculated from various other indicators, but are generally accepted as
accurate throughout the mixed martial arts industry.”

Payout Perspective:

Interesting. In addition to the Certification, Meltzer includes a list
of PPV buys (which he lists as “UFC PPV Estimates”) over the past three
years. MMA Payout has updated our Bluebook and you can view them here.
This is a very interesting turn of events as the Certification opens
up the issue of how PPV buys are estimated. Although the Certification
does not go into detail about how buy rates are approximated, this
method will come out during a deposition and/or other phase of
discovery. The question will be whether Mr. Meltzer will divulge his
methods and/or sources. This brings up journalistic ethics versus the
law. Would a Court require Meltzer to divulge a source and/or would
Meltzer risk being in contempt? At this point, Bellator would argue
that the methods of Meltzer are undefined and that his opinion of the
PPV estimates lack foundation and call for speculation.

The discovery phase of the Alvarez case just got a little more
interesting. We will see the extent as to how much Bellator will try to
pull back the curtain on PPV buys.




Written by Jason Cruz

http://mmapayout.com/2013/02/certification-of-dave-meltzer-filed-in-alvarez-bellator-lawsuit/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Payout+%28Payout%29

Meltzer trying to get back in the good graces IMO

I never expected the EA situation to take this damn long.

It's gonna be a long time..it won't end until he A)inks a deal with Bellator B)the court rules that Bellator didnt match and he's free to go to UFC C)He waits it out...which from what i understand is a long long time.

So unless he chooses option A. I'm afriad he'll be in limbo for...

...THE NEXT HUNDRED YEARS!

Nice Face/Off reference.

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/4/18/4237346/bellators-motion-to-dismiss-eddie-alvarezs-claims-denied-by-judge

Quote :

The legal battle between the former champion and his former employer continues. Bellator attempted to get the crux of Alvarez's counterclaim dismissed, but the motion was rejected by the presiding judge.

Judge Jose L. Linares of the U.S. District court denied Bellator's motion. SI.com provides the quote from Judge Linares' decision:

"In deciding the instant motion to dismiss, this Court must accept allegations in Alvarez's counterclaim as true," wrote Judge Linares. "Accepting the validity of Bellator's argument would require this Court to make a factual determination that Bellator, in fact, had a legitimate business-related justification for proposing a contract to Alvarez purporting to match the Zuffa offer. It would be inappropriate for this Court to make a factual determination at this stage."

Eddie wants to go to trial.

http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/05/eddie-alvarez-promises-courtroom-trial-in-case-against-bellator

Bjorn pretty much said that the other day.

Well, see you in 2015 Eddie. Probably in Bellator.

This is a lose lose situation for both Eddie and Bellator IMO.

Ali* wrote:

This is a lose lose situation for both Eddie and Bellator IMO.

No. There is no win for Bellator.

Eddie could win by somehow being freed and joining the UFC.