The sycophants at UFC press conferences are getting worse and it’s Dana White’s fault.
Notice that he complains about the quality of journalism being lowered, but never when that low quality of journalism means “journalists,” aka media members doing PR for the UFC, him with attention and praise.
These people were present in embarrassingly large numbers at both the UFC 308 pre-fight press conference, where more questions were directed to Dana than any one fighter and the portion of the post-fight one where the boss addresses the media directly and generally speaks about important news and matching.
One Spanish media member told Dana White how amazing he is and then asked about UFC Spain, only for two more of his pre-fight presser colleagues to ask the same question about UFC Spain.
Then, after the fights, one questioner asked the company’s CEO the most sycophantic question possible — because it was not even a question.
The quote reads, “I don’t have a question, but I just really want to appreciate what you did to the sport. And I want you to know that even after 100 or 150 years your name will always be there. So, my request is never stop what you’re doing. Keep making this as big as you can and never retire.”
Someone at the press conference to Dana White:
I don’t have a question, but I just really want to appreciate what you did to the sport. And I want you to know that even after 100 or 150 years your name will always be there. So, my request is never stop what you’re doing. Keep… pic.twitter.com/wnWGCB1q4P
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) October 26, 2024
That is pure, unadulterated fawning, just wasting time at a press conference as flattery to suck up to a powerful man.
And why? Why is this man even here? Because the UFC invited him here, as they have continued to invite mostly PR workers rather than real journalists who would question their business practices, or anything Dana White does not feel like answering.
He shouts down any journalist who does ask probing questions
Why, then, does White so degrade the admittedly impotent sports media?
He stands to gain from hurting experienced journalists who remain independent from his sphere of influence, making his increasing use of media space for outside media and content creators who will help do PR for him to return the favor of being invited.
