The article also addresses the governor race between Cuomo and Paladino -- Cuomo is ahead in the polls -- in light of reports that Zuffa had contributed to Cuomo's campaign.
Specifically, the article notes that there may be a potential collision course between Cuomo and Silver if Cuomo is elected governor -- the likely scenario at this point.
As set forth in the article, according to Dr. Douglas Muzzio, a professor at New York's Baruch College and "longtime political analyst":
'In the larger political sense there is the possibility you'll have a collision given Cuomo's stated positions and Shelly's acted-on positions,' Muzzio said. 'Shelly's a wiley politician and Andrew is a sophisticated political animal. They may avoid a train wreck but a train wreck is possible. They're both Democrats, that's true. They'll have some common interests but also some conflicting interests. And we may end up with a fight on our hands.'Moreover, the article quotes Muzzio's correct conclusion -- as I have posted repeatedly -- that "'[n]othing happens legislatively in the New York State Assembly' without Silver's OK."
Interestingly, the article provides that "'[o]fficially, Silver has no position on MMA.'" According to Sisa Moyo, Silver's Spokesperson, "'[b]ecause we're a committee-driven house, he [Silver] generally doesn't comment on bills before they're in committee process.'"
While he may not have an official position, as you may recall from my post, Assemblyman Englebright's Take on why MMA was Not Legalized in New York this Year -- Reading Between the Lines, as set forth in this video (at about minute 2:20), the Speaker states that he will let the bill go to conference, but that he is not "enamored" with the idea of mixed martial arts in the state.
Reading between the lines, Silver is saying that the bill will still sit in Committee but that, in reality, because he and the party leadership are opposed, it has no probability of success.
Fight Lawyer
