Lawmaker wants tighter controls for sports regulatory commission

A state lawmaker says Georgia is losing out on some popular sports events because of weak regulations.

Events like boxing and ultimate fighting matches can bring in big money to the state. Those and other sporting events are regulated by the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission. It oversees the integrity of sports for fans, and safety for its participants.

Republican state senator Eric Johnson of Savannah calls the current laws the Commission has to work with “vague and ambiguous”. Because of that, he says some promoters of big events have bypassed Georgia—taking money with them.

Johnson hopes to change that with new legislation.

"One of the goals is economic development. One of the reasons I'm interested in it is Savannah has a great boxing history and good boxing enviroment, and we want to make sure we can get some of the fights all over Georgia. Augusta is the same way...it has a great boxing history. And of course we've got the former heavyweight champion living in Atlanta".

The World Wrestling Entertainment organization says it would consider leaving Georgia with tighter regulations. They’ve operated under a special exemption since July 2005.

Pro wrestling regulations tabled

The Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission has delayed a decision on whether to regulate pro wrestling. About 70 current and former wrestlers and their promoters voiced their opposition to the proposed regulations at the commission meeting yesterday. The board decided to delay consideration of the issue for 60 days. Changes could include requiring having paid medical personnel on hand at events, banning threats toward the audience, and regulating the use of grease on wrestlers’ bodies.