Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is currently reviewing legislation that would reverse the state's 1996 ban on the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and if it does, UFC will have a show in Chicago soon. Crain's Chicago Business reports that UFC could be lucrative for the state, with $1 million a year in taxes on UFC tickets possible. Crain's says UFC already has plans in place to have a show at either Allstate Arena or the United Center when the state lifts the ban.
There's really no reason that any state should ban UFC, which is a well-regulated league whose competitors suffer serious injuries less frequently than boxers do. Blagojevich should sign the bill.
Note: Perhaps the most surprising part of the Crain's article is that Andrei Arlovski, who's not exactly a household name, makes $500,000 a year in endorsements.
Hat tip: UFC Junkie.
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