Contrary to the claim in the various public statements, a raise of 100% in the cost of a wrestler/boxer license, and a raise of 50-67% in the cost of an event and promoter license, will have a serious negative impact on future wrestling and boxing events. There appears to be a belief on the part of the DPOR Boxing and Wrestling Board that promoters and performers in the wrestling and boxing industries have deep pockets, into which the DPOR can dip at will. This is incorrect. While a raise from $20 to $40 for an annual license may not seem steep on its face, when you're asking a licensing community composed mostly of young, in-training wrestlers -- who tend to be in college or working at minimum-wage jobs outside the regulated industry, and who tend to work for nothing or next to nothing in the regulated industry -- to come up with $40 to license themselves, there will be a dramatic decrease in the number of licensed wrestlers. The same goes for promoters, most of whom promote shows on a break-even or small-loss basis. Another $200/year will drive promoters out of business, if the current insurance crunch doesn't. This raise in rates will kick off a death spiral in the wrestling and boxing industries in Virginia, where every two years the DPOR will have to come back to its regulatees for another increase, which will drive more regulatees out of the industry, which will cause another increase in two years -- until one of three endpoints: 1. The Board will be regulating exclusively WWE events, as there will be no other boxing and wrestling events in the state. 2. The Board will be unable to continue to ask for rate increases, in which case there will be a law in place that cannot be policed. 3. The Board will have no income, as WWE has shown in the past that it can and will avoid states with draconian regulatory policies. You may want to ask regulators in New Jersey and Oregon how many WWE shows they saw before rolling back the scope of regulation in recent years. Further, it is my belief that there is no public interest value in maintaining regulation of wrestling in the Commonwealth. There may be no public interest value in regulating boxing, but I understand the requirements of the Ali Act. I also understand that is beyond the scope of this regulation. I will be bringing those concerns to my state representatives in the General Assembly shortly. Thank you. Robert Hoffmann licensed wrestling performer

...to most indy feds,the increase in fees means they must draw 8-10 new fans each show to cover the fees...most indy feds will do just that and all will be well...

...what this does is show that the Wrestling Program is an out of control,out of touch and outdated commission that needs an overhaul...taking this to members of the House and Senate is the avenue i am taking...

http://pages.zdnet.com/patanderson10/friendsofvirginiaprowrestling

 

...licensed pro wrestler...

I feel the percentage of the increases are out of proportion. To go up a 100% on wrestler's fees is uncalled for. Also the raise in promoter fees and event fees will drive many legit promotions never to run again. To drive up the fees to a point to keep other promotions the director feels is not "legit" from other states from running in Virginia is going to backfire.

There are several promotions in Virginia that run only charity events. But now if the increase in fees passes, the amount of money that is raised will either decrease just to cover expenses. Or even worse, those same promotions will either decide to quit running or no longer do charity events which will have a negative impact on the local communities.

And I feel that charging promotions a yearly license and an event fee is double dipping so to speak.

And what do the wrestlers get back in return for their fees? Do they get a state wide insurance that will cover them while in Virginia? No. So basically we are paying for the right to wrestler.

All these draconian laws will force wrestlers and promotions to either quit or go to nearby states that have no commission.

As another post stated, you might want to check in the other states that have since been deregulated and how that came about.

The fee increases are not acceptable to anyone within the wrestling community.

While Boxing may be self-sustaining at this time, and Pro Wrestling is not, I fail to see how that is the fault of the wrestling community.  Having an inspector attend every show is foolhardy and a waste of resources.  Not all shows need to have an inspector.  Our NWA Virginia shows have had only ONE problem in the years we've been running shows in Virginia.  The DPOR Inspector at the show informed me of the infraction by that worker, sent me a letter stating that I was on probation for one year [as was the worker] and I haven't had a problem since then.

NWA Virginia runs small shows.  We aren't going to pay the amount that the DPOR needs to cover the cost of having an inspector at the show.  So, as punishment, we may be forced out of business.  Is this legal?  Is this the American way? Is this the way capitalism is to work?  We are to be 'legislated' out of business?  Are only the 'mega-shows' allowed to do business in the Commonwealth?  Interesting that a Commonwealth sanctioned body is looking to go the Wal-Mart way of doing business.  Crush the small stores so that no one has a choice but to come to the Wal-Mart.

Here are the increases, by percentage: Worker fee; + 100%, Promoter's License fee: +67%, Event Fee: +67%

All of this is being done in the name of what?  Very simply, send out an inspector to a show/organization that has caused trouble in the past.  At a previous meeting of the DPOR, held on a weekend, several promoters [myself, Kyle Leach, Kiley McLean, Travis Bradshaw, and Mr. Woody] offered to help DPOR with advice and/or assistance on how to clean up the wrestling industry within the Commonwealth.  To my knowledge, there has been no contact concerning that offer.

In Education, the Governor went to the Teachers and Administrators for help and created the PASS teams.  The increased SOL scores, the increased NCLB and AYP scores justify the Governor's faith in people who are IN THAT INDUSTRY! Why then, can't the DPOR create their own teams of workers, promoters, etc, to help police the Industry?  There's NO reason to pay an inspector $100 plus expenses to go visit a wrestling show, UNLESS there is some prior reason for that Inspector to be there.

Please show me where ANY industry would just sit by and allow the rate increases proposed by DPOR.  There aren't any.  If wrestling is done in the western part of the Commonwealth and it is too expensive for an Inspector to go, and the event license has already been issued, then there is no need for an Inspector to be there.

There MUST be room for negotiation, as well as greater communication so that ALL parties involved can come up with a satisfactory agreement that will NOT drive Independent Pro Wrestling out.

Mr. Holland once remarked to me at a show that WWE [then WWF]'s problems were created by themselves.  They drove their competition out of business.  What good, then, would be generated by driving out Independent wrestling from the Commonwealth?  Does the DPOR administration believe that there won't be any shows?  There are plenty of 'illegal' and 'underground' shows being done now.  Some, right in the heart of Richmond.  The number of those shows will simply increase, and I can't see State or local law enforcement, who are having a tough enough time as it is [at least in Richmond] with more serious crimes sparing the resources to stamp out 'illegal' or 'underground' wrestling shows.

I want it to be known for the record, that I am FOR having some form of governmental oversight in Professional Wrestling.  I have seen too many negatives on a wrestling show in unregulated States [New Jersey springs to mind], and too many negatives on a wrestling show in an over regulated State [New York springs to mind].  There MUST be a medium that we can reach.  Increasing fees so drastically, across the board, just isn't acceptable, nor is it, in my opinion, the way to solve any fiscal problems the DPOR may be having.

I thank you for taking the time out to read my lengthy repose.

Rick OBrien

NWA Virginia

I just wanted to say I DO NOT support this new stuff the DPOR is trying to do with doubling everything. It is bad enough with theses regulations getting more and more tougher...NOW THIS????? Rick O' Brien, Kyle Leach, William Woody, Travis Bradshaw work hard to put on quality wrestling events for our state and most of all thier community. Now the DPOR is trying to basically cut us out of thing we love doing best..entertaining people. Is that right to the fans who pay to come see us? No it is not. Is it right to the people who let us put on shows in thier venue to help out thier community??? No it is not.  Is it fair to the wrestlers who work hard to have to pay double for thier time of entertaining??? No it is not. And last but not least is it fair to the promoters who work hard to let us wrestlers perform in the state of VA??? No it is not. These increases are very unacceptable and something needs to be done to stop this nonsense.  The DPOR tries to treat this as a legit sport, we are not a legit sport, we are in the entertainment business and this is what needs to be brought out. We do not go in there to legitly kick each others but or go 8 to 12 rounds. We go out to entertain the people who love pro wrestling and who love to see us. I am sorry if I make some people mad with that comment but I am just trying to get a point across. And now this DPOR is scheduling a meeting for the middle of the week???? What happened to a Saturday, din't we have that meeting last year on a Saturday. I think so. Do not worry, I will be there to support to fellow wrestlers I work with and the fellow promoters i have worked for, they deserve our support.

See you guys on the 17th,

Robert Langston

licensed pro wrestler!!!!

  

     I would also like to voice my strong objection to the fee increase proposed by the board.  I have been a big supporter of the Virginia professional wrestling scene for nearly 20 years and have been involved in various ways helping out the local promotions in a non-performer capacity for the past 10 years.  As someone who has studied what is an often misunderstood, yet complex business, I feel the proposed changes reflect a lack of real analysis (or perhaps a complete disregard) of the true impact these fees will have on those involved. 

 

     First, I don’t think it is clear to most of the general public just how much most of these promotions are run on a shoestring budget.  Most barely make enough money to pay the performers and the other unseen expenses, such as building rental, ring rental, and promotional costs.  The proposal makes it almost seem as if it is the fault of the wrestling community that the DPOR isn’t making enough money to cover expenses, when it is in fact their very regulations that hinder the profit margins, which will become an even worse problem in the increase are approved.  Even though this term is well worn, professional wrestling is very much like an “athletic soap opera” in the respect that each  show leads into the next.  The object is to simultaneously entertain the audience, yet give them something to come back for next time.  Most promotions cannot afford to get more than one event license at a time in order to properly promote each show in advance.  This is part of the reason that crowd as these shows are often small, not to mention the fact that the promotion also has to pay the tax on the gate as well, which is less profit towards expenses and advertising.  I believe this is tantamount to double taxation and the event fee needs to be abolished.

 

     As an employee of the State of Virginia in one of its larger agencies I understand all too well the importance of budget management.  However, it is important to keep in mind that most other state agencies have to make necessary, if painful, reductions in spending to stay within budget.  They do not have the luxury of raising “fees” (taxes in this case) at will. When most state agencies go over budget they usually end up on the local news or on the front page of the newspaper.  It states in the documents supporting the increases that “The Department receives no general fund money, but instead is funded almost entirely from revenue collected for regulants and event licensure and gate fees. The Department is self-supporting, and must collect adequate revenue to support its mandated and approved activities and operations. The Professional Boxing and Wrestling Program is the only activity funded under Fund 0200 Special Revenue.”  In that case, shouldn’t the Department look at possibilities for reducing spending, as any responsible government agency should?  Why is it necessary for an inspector to be at every show?  Wouldn’t random, unannounced inspections be just as effective?  There should only be frequent inspections in the case of a specific complaint or previous, repeated violations. If the Boxing and Wrestling program can’t manage itself, does it in fact need to exist at this point?  I find it ridiculous that this department is able to operate with no real accountability to the citizens it allegedly protects.

 

I’ll now look at various points of the proposal itself, using the Department’s own text as a guide.

 

1.        “The advantage of these changes is that the regulatory program will be able to continue to function in order to protect the public.”  Protect the public from what, if I may ask?  People know what they are coming to see at a wrestling event, it is an entertainment event.  They are not risking losing money in any way, unless they just don’t like the show, which is an individual subjective matter.  As far as physical safety is concerned, there is no greater risk at a wrestling event than any other form of entertainment or athletics.

 

 

 

2.        “…the impact of these changes on the income of the regulated population should not be of a great significance compared to level of income.”  Fact is, most small wrestling shows are lucky to break even, much less make a profit when all is said and done.  Most performers make little or nothing per show if they are paid at all.  This is not including money for gasoline, food and lodging if needed.  This may not be “significant” to the promoters and performers of WWE, but it sure is to other several hundred licensed wrestlers and promoters in Virginia.  Regardless of the actual dollar amount, a 100% wrestler license fee and a 67% increase for both event and promoter license is entirely too high.  It took the state of Virginia years to raise the sales tax one-half of one percent.

 

3.        “The fee increase will support ongoing direct costs of ensuring the safety of the participants in boxing and wrestling events.”  The only things I could come up with that the Department does in this regard are to stop matches in the event of blood and to require each participant to pass a physical exam, which, I might add, the licensee pays for out-of-pocket himself.

 

4.        In one of the most interesting statements in the report it states on page 6, “Revenue for the Boxing and Wrestling Program is heavily dependent on major WWE events.  Projecting how many of these events will occur annually is unreliable.”  Small wonder that the department believes the wrestling community can absorb any cost increase.   I take that to mean that since WWE only runs events in the state a few times a year that it is up to the small promoter to make up the difference.  Continued increases in rates will do nothing but ensure that WWE events are the only ones the Department has to regulate.  How convenient.  So the message this seems to be sending is that the small business is not worth the trouble since they are not generating the funds to keep the Department in the black, so they need to disappear.

 

5.        I find it appalling that there are no alternative plans listed under the section marked “Alternatives.”  The Department’s sole argument appears to be that the law absolutely, unequivocally demands that fees be raised no matter what the impact to those it affects.

 

6.        The Estimated Economic Impact portion of the report states that DPOR expects “the board’s ending cash balance for 2004-06 will be negative $28,109.”  Does this mean the board will constantly be asking for an increase every two years “to approximately match expenses” rather than change the structure of the way the program operates to prevent the necessity of said increases?

 

7.        “Also, the proposed fees do remain small enough that the number of events held and individuals seeking licensure are unlikely to be reduced.”  Not likely.  I would imagine the individual wrestler licenses will not be affect to a great degree, but I would anticipate a decrease in the number of wrestling events.  The extra $200 a year may be more than many promoters can take, not to mention the uncalled for increases in the event fee.  It seems no real research was done in this regard; just stating it with no evidence to back it up does a disservice to us as citizens and taxpayers.

 

To sum up, in the past I have tried to keep an open mind regarding the existence of regulation of professional wrestling in Virginia.  I never had a major problem with the requirements for physicals or even individual licenses.  I have seen some really low quality product in unregulated states in the past.  However, the marketplace usually takes care of this in time.  At this point the need for the very existence of a state sanctioned body for the regulation of professional wrestling is questionable at best.  It is obvious that the Board is staffed by individuals with little to no comprehension of, and an obvious lack of respect for, the very thing they oversee.  They are attempting to over-regulate an industry that, while admittedly small in scope, is still just as valid as any other business, perilously close to the point of extinction.  This is well beyond the scope of the Board’s powers if not the reason for its existence.  I can only conclude that at this point that any value it serves to the citizens of the Commonwealth is grossly outweighed by the adverse effects it would have on the business community it regulates.

 

Thank you

 

David Layne

Unlicensed concerned citizen

 

 

My name is Jeff Capo.  I have been a licensed referee in Virginia for 3 years.  I reside in Columbia, Maryland.  I am against the proposed increases in the fees for wrestling.  I feel the fee increases is too steep.

The fee increases target Virginia promotion run by Virginias who operate on a meager budget.  By passing these increase you will putting these Virginia promotions out of business and hurting Virginias in the long run.

I usually travel 3 hours each way by car, spending money in Virginia.  We all know what professional wrestling really is. It is entertainment, not sport to be lumped into the same category as boxing.

Please think carefully about the proposed increases and listen to the voices of Virginias, fans promoters and wrestling before making a hasty decision.

Sincerely,

Jeff Capo - Referee for NWA Virginia

Concerned Workers, Promoters, Fans:

 

As these last few days prior to the DPOR meeting come to a close, I want all of us to sit back and think about the gross injustice that is allegedly forthcoming.  In a few days, the fate of professional wrestling in the Commonwealth of Virginia will be decided.  What does this mean for us?  It means that either things will be status quo, or could possibly spell the end to independent wrestling in VA.  Since 1999, I have been working in VA, and doing what I love doing...........entertaining fans.  That's all this business is, entertainment; yet, we are being governed by rules that try to prove that professional wrestling is still a legitimately contested sport. 

It was recently told to me that the "wrestling" portion of the annual budget was used up for the fiscal year, but the "boxing" portion still had plenty of funds.  Let me pose a scenario to you.  On November 13, 2004, there were THREE licensed shows (that I know of) in VA.  One in Danville, VA, one in Fort Chiswell, VA, and one in the Richmond area.  With all but one of these shows, revenue was brought in by the state in the form of taxes.  Income that is supporting the "wrestling" budget.  When were three BOXING shows held on the same day in VA.  Or for that matter, three boxing shows in three months.  It seems to me that wrestling is doing whatever it can to support itself, while boxing is wallowing in the extra money that has been allocated to its budget. 

Everyone, what we have going on here is a ploy to remove professional wrestling from Virginia.  I strongly urge each and every one of you to stand up, make phone calls, let your voices be heard.  Let's not let this get our spirits down.  Let's keep our heads held high.  Let's band together and fight this battle that we are up against.  In closing, I want everyone to remember one thing..........we live in a COMMONWEALTH, which means ".......a state governed by the people."  Let's govern this state we live in.

Tommy Boothe
Licensed Professional Wrestler

Author of above post is Tommy Boothe

I have been wrestling for 9 years and Virginia is one of my favorite states to wrestle in.  All of the organizations that I have worked with in VA put on family friendly shows and the fans enjoy it.  I have done "say no to drugs" and "stay in school" talks with the kids and have met many fans who have become close friends over the years.  If you make these changes a lot of organizations will not be able to run shows and a lot of wrestlers will not be able to afford to wrestle in your state.  It would be a shame.  Please reconsider and listen to the fans.  Thank you, MaryBeth (aka Lexie Fyfe)

It seems the only person in the wrestling business that is making money is the DPOR.  I am strongly against the proposed changes.  I know for a fact that if you are making it harder for the wrestlers then you are making it even harder for the promotors.

All of the Virginia Organizations even more so the ones that I have worked for are Creditable and do alot for the communities that they are in.  I have worked a many of shows throughout many states as fund raisers and feel that the proposed changes will lessen the chances for work, creditable workers, and community involvment.

With raising the cost of individual "worker" licenses, you will more than likely loose sales due to the fact that no one wants to be in the hole before they start.  Get real, no ones get's rich off of the business (reguardless of what some DPOR personell seem to think) and when you front the inital show costs to try and help someone in a fundraiser everyone will loose... except DPOR.

I think you all need to listen to the fans, and the people who are out here busting our butts, spending out paychecks, using our personal credit cards, and some even working second jobs to bring quality wrestling to Virginia.  Furthermore in my feelings if you are really about your work and even more so ethics, you would be trying to help the wrestling business instead of trying to kill it off.

Wrestling isn't a hobby, I wouldn't drive all the miles, and put myself through the things that I have if it came down to a simple stamp or butterfly collection.... to MOST Wrestling is life, and everyone wants to find something wrong with it...

More Money = Less promotions
Less Promotions = Less Fees
Less Wrestlers = Less Individual Fees

With more fees, what could happen?
Workers will hop over state lines and run promotions and shows in states that have no requirements.

You will ultimatly loose in the end.... financially....
But the Fans will be loosing even more.

That is all.

You know Scotty you are right they are trying to put indys out of va. but yet they don't mess with the lucha-libre or charge them any when they run in va.

This is a travesty and hopefully there will be enough voices to be heard and I agree they do put it at a time when hardly anyone can make it and also I agree that all our brothers and sisters even if you have never stepped foot through the ropes in virginia still let your voice be heard and try to help us the workers in va and the other indys in virginia to try to put a stop to this wheat technically how i look at it as a crime might as well be theft what do they need our money for not a thing!!!!  I mean heck most workers might get a few bucks here and there for a payoff but the main reason we do it isn't for the money because it is something we love to do and have the heart to do and put our bodies on the line night after night. Also if this increase does happen what indys that can still run that will be few of them will have to raise ticket prices and with the economy the way it is people ( THR FANS ) will not be able to pay for it yeah the promoters and workers have to pay  to get their liscense ther event and workers and building fee plus in the end yes in hurts the people that love to do it but the ones it hurts the most in the end is the fans. So hopefully somthing can be done about this and hopefully everyone will put a word thier input in on this very urgent topic even if you don't work in Virginia let your voice be heard but please remember always be professional about what you say and do!!!

 

I began wrestling in the state of Virginia earlier this year, and I have to admit that I truly enjoy it. Despite having to travel extensively from Pennsylvania via Greyhound, every trip here is nonetheless worthwhile. My stance, however in this situation, is the same as Mr O'Brien's, Mr. Capo's and many others; to increase the rates of licensing despite having absolutely no coverage for the wrestlers is utterly ridiculous. It is unfortunate that many other states do not consider what we do to be "real" enough to be a sport, yet fees of obscene costs have to be paid year after year in order to run a venue. Wrestlers such as myself and many others cannot afford to organize an effective system of support mainly due in part to the bureaucratic thumb that has prevented us to do so for so many years. To say that this proposal is in the best interests of the people is hollow rhetoric. How is it in the people's interest when no one's ever asked them how they felt? How would the people of Virginia even know when they have no idea what the wrestlers that has entertained them are being subjected to? Most importantly, how does the DPOR board think the people of Virginia react when they finally realize that the powers that be of their own state has systematically eliminated one of their oldest, most beloved forms of entertainment in the name of "the best interest of the people", especially when they weren't fairly given their given right to decide for themselves if this proposal is even necessary, which is in truth, highly not so? What kind of town hall makes decisions over the heads of the people? Is this the type of government we have come to endorse? And whose interests are being represented? Certainly not the good citizens of Virginia and definitely not the wrestlers, promoters or the officials who are licensed therein.

I am currently unable to read the proposal or economic impact that was posted on the site right now.  So I am only going off what I've been told or read from others who was actually able to read the proposal.  From all of this that I do understand it seems that the licensing fee is going up 100% for all wrestlers, and a 67% increase on a promoter's license and event fee.  I can only guess that this is to cover the inspector's and/or commissioner's wages/expenses.  No raising this income for the Commonwealth would in turn do what for our (the wrestlers') economy?  One post I read, made mention of an insurance deal for the wrestlers.  That would be wonderful, but would probably case the fees to jump up another 100%.  Now I do understand that the Commonwealth is trying to generate more income for themselves, but they aren't understanding/listening to us in doing so.  If they do raise the fees for our licenses, many people won't purchase them again.  Thus, reducing the income for the Commonwealth in the long run.  Possibly causing job losses for those inspectors/commissioner.  I mean after all, why would the Commonwealth need them if there weren't any shows to inspect?  Now on the other hand from a wrestlers stand point, why pay those fees if you can travel to the surrounding states where the fees are less, if any?  These are just my ideas/views, and I would like to think you for taking the time to read them.

...David Holland once again is showing his true colors...he is unable to manage his own business and is now showing that he intends to screw ours up...he was told to get his department in the black or step aside and his response is to kill the business that gives him his purpose in government...let's tell it all...

 ...there will be a result from these increases...he is setting the stage for the demise of organized wrestling in the state of VA...a stage that he has planned from the day he became the director and began carrying a badge...Dave Holland is out to destroy wrestling and is good at his job...he has friends and he is strong...

 ...the motive that Holland feeds off of is still not clear,but his actions over the past few years have been apparrent to everyone that has watched...his only move ,is one that hurts the wrestling business...

...his every action is to disrupt the thingee we call a show and he feels is an afrront to his presence...

...i mention Holland only because he is the problem in VA Pro Wrestling...his mismanagement of an agency that was created just to collect taxes and give cover to a business that did not expect a tyrant...

...King JamesIII = Dave Holland...