{"id":8711476,"date":"2023-01-10T13:11:59","date_gmt":"2023-01-10T21:11:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eastbaytimes.com\/?p=8711476&preview=true&preview_id=8711476"},"modified":"2023-01-11T06:32:28","modified_gmt":"2023-01-11T14:32:28","slug":"california-lawmakers-call-for-dana-whites-ouster-at-ufc-after-slapping-wife-on-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eastbaytimes.com\/2023\/01\/10\/california-lawmakers-call-for-dana-whites-ouster-at-ufc-after-slapping-wife-on-video\/","title":{"rendered":"California lawmakers call for Dana White\u2019s ouster at UFC after slapping wife on video"},"content":{"rendered":"

The California Women\u2019s Caucus called Monday for UFC president Dana White to be removed from his leadership role in the wake of him striking his wife.<\/p>\n

White was seen on video released last week by TMZ slapping his wife, Anne, while the two were on vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, last month.<\/p>\n

In an open letter to Ari Emmanuel, the CEO of Endeavor, the company that owns UFC, the caucus wrote: \u201cEvery day that Mr. White\u2019s actions go unaccounted for, your silence becomes more piercing and troubling.\u201d<\/p>\n

Endeavor, UFC and Emmanuel have not publicly commented on the incident since the video surfaced.<\/p>\n

The letter was signed by caucus chairperson State Sen. Nancy Skinner, who represents the East Bay\u2019s 7th District, and vice chair Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, who represents the 4th Assembly District that encompasses much of Wine Country. Both are Democrats but the caucus is bipartisan.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. White is not only the external face of the UFC, he is the leader who sets the expectations for the athletes as well,\u201d the letter<\/a> read. \u201cHe is the leader who has explained in years past that he stands firmly against domestic violence. If an athlete were to commit violence against their partner, Mr. White is the leader within UFC who will have to determine the consequence.\u201d<\/p>\n

White told TMZ in an interview last week that he was \u201cembarrassed\u201d and concerned for how his three children were affected.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve heard me say for years, \u2018There\u2019s never ever an excuse for a guy to put his hands on a woman,\u2019 and now here I am on TMZ talking about it,\u201d White told the website.<\/p>\n

UFC spokesman Chris Costello said last week that neither the organization nor White would issue a statement to The Associated Press. Costello referred to White\u2019s comments to TMZ.<\/p>\n