MMA Photographer stripped of credentials and “banned for life” from UFC
Jun 6, 2016
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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Taking out his frustration on twitter after being ejected from the UFC 199 pay-per-view event on Saturday, journalist Ariel Helwani of MMA Fighting/SB Nation was seemingly escorted from the building by security prior to the main event.
Along with him went photographer Esther Lin and video director E. Casey Leydon, also part of the SB Nation crew, all three alleged to be banned from UFC for life.
After breaking the news that Brock Lesnar was close to finalizing a deal to fight at UFC 200 the day before an official announcement was made, it appears that the UFC didn’t take it too well.
I was escorted out of the building by Zuffa staff before the main event. Credential taken away, too. Didn't see Bisping realize his dream.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 5, 2016
My long-time colleagues @ekc and @allelbows were also escorted out of the building w/ me. Sorry to report no post-fight coverage tonight.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 5, 2016
I love this sport & this job with all my heart. Did nothing unethical. I reported fight news. That's it. & then told we're banned for life.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 5, 2016
My teammates and friends @Ekc and @allelbows are the very best at what they do. I wish they didn't have to leave with me. They did nothing.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 5, 2016
While one can understand the UFC’s position (even if one doesn’t agree with it) and while they can pretty much do whatever they want at their own events, their response does appear to be something of an overreaction, especially with a site as popular as SB Nation.
If a website known for publishing news pick up a good story, unless they’re specifically asked to not report it, they’re going to report it. That’s the way news works, and when news publishers are asked to hold off on releasing information, the reputable ones will happily comply.
At least they seem to be keeping their sense of humour about the whole thing.
this is the worst way to get new followers :)
— E. Casey Leydon (@ekc) June 5, 2016
Rumours are a double edged sword, in any industry.
Obviously organisations want to be able to plan, schedule, and keep things under wraps until they’re good and ready to release it, it’s why there are things like NDAs and embargoes on press releases.
On the other hand, if you’ve not been told to keep quiet about something and you hear a rumour, you know it’s going to be big news, and so you report it.
Have the UFC overreacted by banning the photographer and her team? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
[via Wrestlezone]
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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14 responses to “MMA Photographer stripped of credentials and “banned for life” from UFC”
This is like being banned from Denny’s, right?
Kinda like being banned from KFC
So why was the photographer banned? Guilty by association?
“Brock Lesnar close to finalizing deal to fight at UFC 200 (updated)
By Ariel Helwani
@arielhelwani on Jun 4, 2016, 8:10p ”
[http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/6/4/11859804/brock-lesnar-close-to-finalizing-deal-to-fight-at-ufc-200]
He broke the news, he got banned. Based on a reference to him being fired from Fox, it looks like the last straw in a longer antaganous relationship.
I can “see” why the journalist was, but not the photographer Or videographer.
Well deserved. He broke the rules and abused his insider knowledge.
Simple. If they were under NDA or had any other kind of agreement to not pulsish, then they were wrong. But if there was no agreement of any kind in place, then the UFC people are taking their frustration out at the wrong people and need to review their internal procedures…
I don’t know how journalists work in Britain, but in America, if someone tells us to not publish, we demand that they give us a really good reason not to publish, and if they can’t, we publish anyway.
this is interesting, won’t you burn your source this way?
Rating are more important than credibility.
he has no sources…
guy broke trust.. seems like an a-hole anyway.
He was told by dana white years ago “if your sources are for real go for it and publish it, dont ask permission from us (UFC)” and that’s what happened, it was true
He is explaining what happened on his live podcast now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLNsbQ6gv7U