S5949-A Summary

• Repeals Chapter 912 of the Laws of 1920 and establishes new Article 41 of the General Business Law to comprehensively regulate authorized combative sports including boxing, wrestling, kickboxing, martial arts, and mixed martial arts under a State Athletic Commission.

• Authorizes the five-member State Athletic Commission to license all professional combative sports participants, promoters, judges, referees, managers, trainers, and training facilities; grants the Commission sole jurisdiction over authorized combative sports and authority to establish regulations for health and safety.

• Requires comprehensive medical examinations including neurological testing for all professionals seeking licenses; mandates accident insurance with minimum $50,000 coverage for medical care and $1,000,000 coverage for life-threatening brain injuries sustained during competition.

• Imposes 8.5% tax on gross receipts from ticket sales for combative sports other than traditional boxing/wrestling and 3% tax on broadcasting and digital streaming rights, with specific licensing fees for promoters based on venue seating capacity (ranging from $500-$3,000 for mixed martial arts events).

• Establishes criminal penalties (Class A misdemeanor or Class E felony for repeat offenders) and civil penalties ($10,000-$25,000) for conducting unauthorized combative sports; requires advance notice of events, state-approved ticket printing, and filing of all fighter contracts with the Commission.