Co-op Confidential: Greg Monforte, Development Intern

Name: Greg Monforte
Year: Senior
Co-op Employer: Richard Stockton College
Location: Galloway, NJ
Job Title: Development Intern

Outside the Octagon: Bellator's Business Strategy

In my column, I usually write about the UFC, but this week I wanted to change it up and talk about one of the UFC’s rival organizations Bellator.  Bellator is a much smaller organization and doesn’t have the same star power as UFC.  A lot of times, when Bellator’s best fighters’ contracts are up the UFC will sign them.  Recently, Bellator has been signing a lot of former UFC athletes.  Personally, I do not believe this is the best business strategy.

Outside the Octagon: What's Next for Ronda Rousey?

Ronda Rousey defended her belt on Saturday in a dominating sixteen second victory over Alexis Davis.  She improved to 10-0 with all of her wins coming by either submission or KO.  Rousey is slowly becoming the new face of the UFC.  So what does the future hold for Rousey? 

Outside the Octagon: The Future of the UFC in 2014

The UFC in 2014 has had some troubles.  The PPV numbers are on pace to be one of the lowest in years.  The drug testing system is still riddled with flaws to the point where fighters are retiring because of it.  Finally, the loss of stars Anderson Silva and George St. Pierre has hurt the UFC more than they could have imagined.  I have come up with a few ideas to help the UFC have a better second half of 2014.

Outside the Octagon: UFC's Growing Drug Problem

Earlier this week, Chael Sonnen failed a random drug test and has been pulled from his fight against Vitor Belfort.  His test came up positive for two banned substances, Anastrozole and Clomiphene.  This is the second time that Sonnen had an issue with drug testing.  In 2010, after his fight with Anderson Silva his urine sample came back with having 17 times the amount of testosterone for a normal person.  Sonnen is just another example of UFC’s ongoing problem with drugs.  

Outside the Octagon: Is the Dominance of Brazil over in the UFC?

Brazil has been dominating the UFC for years. This has been from the very beginning of UFC back when Royce Gracie use to beat fighters double his size. There have been points when over half of the UFC champions have been from Brazil. Now Jose Aldo is the lone remaining champion.  I believe there are two main factors that have led to the recent spur of American champions, growing popularity of the UFC and the evolution of the sport as a whole.

Outside the Octagon: UFC's Lack of PPV Power in 2014

This year so far has not been a good one for UFC and Pay per View events.  After four PPV events this year, the buy rate is only at about 1.2 million.  This rate is very low and if it continues the UFC could have their lowest PPV buy rate in seven years.  There are still 10 PPV’s left this year, but all signs point to the UFC having a bad year. 

Outside the Octagon: UFC's New Drug Program

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), who regulates combat sports in the state of Nevada, are now going to implement a more enhanced drug testing program.  This announcement comes a few months after the NSAC banned Testosterone Replacement Therapy.  This new drug testing program will begin for the upcoming UFC 173 on May 24^th. 

Outside the Octagon: Team MMA, The Next US Sport?

About a week ago Deadspin posted an article about Team MMA.  If you have not seen the video I highly recommend you click on the link and check it out.  To summarize the video, it is a 5 on 5 match between Poland and Sweden.  Each person fights one person on the other team.  When someone wins they are now free to help out any of their teammates.  You can imagine that this is when it starts to get pretty insane.  

Outside the Octagon: Crowdfunding in Professional Fighting

Professional athletes are always trying to find new ways to make money to help them personally and to allow them to commit to their sport full time.  Some of the past ways include sponsorships and endorsements, autograph signings, personal appearances etc. MMA athletes have added a new one to the list, crowdfunding.

Water Cooler Talk: What to do Over Co-op

Co-op is right around the corner for a lot of us.  This is always a nice time of the year because we are done being full time students and can just focus on gaining professional experience.  If this is your first co-op what you might not realize is how much free time you are going to have.  You should use this free time wisely and try to develop yourself professional and personally.  I have come up with a few suggestions for things to do over these next six months.  

The Sports Biz Report - Episode 2.13

Water Cooler Talk: It's a Women's World in the UFC

Three years ago Dana White was asked about if women will ever be in the UFC.  His respond to this question was quick and one word, NEVER.  Boy has things changed.  Since then women fighters have helped make the sport of UFC even better.  They have put on great fights while also headlining cards and being on the Ultimate Fighter.  Women fighters have proved that fans want to watch their fights equally or more than the men’s fights. 

Water Cooler Talk: UFC's New Bonus Structure

Last week the UFC announced they are changing up their bonus system for fights.  The old system rewarded $50k for Fight of the Night, Knockout of the Night, and Submission of the Night.  They have decided to remove knockout and submission and award the two $50k bonuses to performances of the night.  This decision came after UFC 169 had all but two of the fights go to decision.  This allows the UFC to have more of the decision in who deserves to get the bonuses.  

Water Cooler Talk: Networking 101

The Sport Management Student Union’s networking event is a week from today.  There will be a panel discussing their careers, giving tips about networking, and answering any questions you may have.  I have decided to give you some of my networking tips that I have used over the years.  They have been very helpful for me in keeping up with professional relationships and I hope they will be helpful for you too.

The Sports Biz Report - Episode 2.9 - The Rise of CrossFit

Water Cooler Talk: UFC in 2014

If you think about the UFC and the best fighters in the sport usually three names come to mind: Anderson Silva, George St. Pierre, and Jon Jones.  These three fighters are usually the three names of who fans and commentators toss out for best pound for pound fighters.  Silva has recently lost two fights in a row and broken his leg in half.  Who knows when he will be able to fight again and if he will ever be able to compete at the level he used to.  St. Pierre decided to vacate his belt and give up fighting for a while.  Jones has not fought since September and has postponed his fight three times against Glover Teixeira.  With these three stars futures in doubt, I have come up with a few suggestions for what the UFC should do to continue its strong brand.   

Water Cooler Talk: Top 5 Sports Pictures of 2013

 

It is always fun to look back at the past year and remember all of the great moments in sports.  We enjoyed seeing new champions, records being broken and amazing games and plays.  Most of these moments are captured in unforgettable pictures.  These pictures help us to immortalize certain athletes, teams and plays.  In no particular order, I am going to show you my top five favorite pictures from 2013.

Water Cooler Talk: Giving Back

Today is Thanksgiving, a day to be thankful for everything in your life and a good time to reflect on the last year.  I am very thankful to be where I am right now.  I have about a year left of my undergraduate studies and have made many great connections during my two coops.  I have met a lot of great friends while at Drexel and stayed in touch with my closest friends from high school.  In the spirit of the holiday, I am going to leave you guys with a great piece of advice: always try to give back.

Water Cooler Talk: Interviewing Keys to Success

Coop search can be a very stressful time.  I am searching for my third coop and honestly this one has been the most stressful out of all of them.  This week the interview requests come out for A round.  The interview is the most important part of the coop process.  Your resume was able to get you the interview but now you need to show the company you are the person for the job.  From my experiences I have learned a few keys that can help during the interview.