I've been training to be a professional cage fighter for five years. I have a blue belt in Jiu-Jitsu, a bronze glove in Savate and a black belt in kick-a$$.
At 36, I've been told by a recruiter that I'm too old to be picked up professionally by anybody. He said the only thing I would be good for is to be a "tomato can that can be opened and drained in the amateur circuit to advance others to the pros."
This is obviously age discrimination. How much can I sue for? What should I do?
2007-02-13 14:42:11 · 11 answers · asked by psychosolodiver 6 in Sports ➔ Martial Arts
Well, I'm no lawyer, but if this recruiter is basically running his own private business as a recruiter, then I doubt you'd have much success suing him, as he reserves the right to take and refuse clients based on how profitable he believes you are to his business. It would be like suing a baseball talent scout because he refused to take on an aging minor league catcher. Simply put, independent recruiters/scouts in sports have the right to make business decisions based on their estimate of market value. This recruiter is no gentleman, obviously, but he's basically saying that your market value would be relatively low given your age and (I'm assuming) lack of professional experience. Unfortunately, in the merciless business of sports, age is a fairly significant variable in determining market value. Take a look at all the over 35 MMA stars, and you'll see that they got started very young and worked their way up to the top and stayed there due to their resumes and vast experience (e.g., Chuck Lidell, Randy Couture, Ken Shamrock).
But I believe that everyone has a right to realize their dreams. Just cause the odds of "making it" are stacked against you, don't let it stop you. Proceed with your goals, but just be realistic, and don't take it personal when people bring up your age. Chances are, this jerk isn't going to be the last one to bring up your age. It's likely going to be used against you when negotiating pay and setting up fights.
I commend you for your ambition. I say go ahead and get experience, even if recruiters are going to sell you as a "tomato can." When they put you in there to "advance others to the pros", show them what you got, give the fans a good show, and just go from there. Give em hell...good luck.
2007-02-13 14:59:50 · answer #1 · answered by hal_fuentes 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Listen recuiters recruit who they want to. You can't sue someone for them not recruiting you. Let me give you a example of something: Can a individual sue a Army recruiter because the Army reruiter won't accept someone with a criminal record? The criminal can say he is being discriminated against by the government but in all reality the Army Recruiter is just doing his job and the guy who has a criminal record doesn't meet the qualifications for his recruits. The same goes with your recruiter. he has certain qualifications he is looking for in his recruits and he wants to meet those qualifications. if you don't meet the qualifications he expects then he doesn't have to recruit you. Now lets say you are qualified for a job in the business management and apply for a job and the employer says hey you are to old so we are not going to hire you. Then you can sue because a job in Business management usually doesn't have qualifications such as age limits. But as stated before a RECRUITER can recruit by what qualifications he sets. They are recruiters because they recruit only the people they feel are the best and are a asset. that is why they set qualifications.
2007-02-14 12:21:08 · answer #2 · answered by SuperSoldierGIJOE 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why "OBVIOUSLY"??
This sounds more like a case of MARKETABILITY!
If you can't draw an audience, why should anybody invest time and/or money in "unmarketable merchandise"?
If the demand just isn't out there, a recruiter is not going to waste his time with somebody when he knows that he will not be able to get a commission. This isn't discrimination, it's just good business.
The man is not an employer, he is an independent agent!
My advise would be to give up pipe dreams and set realistic goals for yourself.
2007-02-13 23:54:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of bullshit... but nobody mentioned the fact that you have to be 40 for age discrimination to apply in the first place. At 36, you CAN'T sue for age discrimination, because you don't meet the legal requirement to do so.
Nobody is required to hire you for anything... at 16, 26, 36, or more.
2013-10-07 23:14:18 · answer #4 · answered by Caoedhen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
age discrimination is not "absolute".
Fact is, if you are not able to do the job, then you will not be any good to him or anyone.
Should an older police man who has vision problems be on the streets with a loaded pistol?
Should we have a 76 year old fireman who can't climb a ladder or lift a hose going out to put out fires?
Should we have a perepeligic construction worker carrying "I" bars?
If you want to make some money and further degrade the american legal system then find a lawyer to take your case. Chances are the promoter either has no money or has it protected so you won't get **** anyway.
2007-02-14 13:46:42 · answer #5 · answered by Bluto Blutarsky4 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yet another American looking for a stupid excuse to sue people like you bring shame to our country, if you truly are a fighter and wish to get acknowledged keep trying send your list of experiences to more recruiters and eventually you will get a hit. Read the other answers to see why your lawsuit will not go through, you will be laughed again this time by the court.
2007-02-14 09:57:35 · answer #6 · answered by Roger J 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well honestly I think after you sue him (if that is possible), it's better if you stay FAR away from this recuriter's assoicate or game. If you get involve with him while you're trying to sue him, he'll really screw your career up somehow.
I have similar thing that happen to me in my first Muay Thai fight. The event was promoted by my old trainer whom I left. I won the fight, but next day we found out my opponent have record of 6-1. Not long after that, one of my friend got hurt really bad in the match because he was going against guy who have over 60 fights while my friend have only 8 fights. That's when my coach stop allowing his students to fight for this promoter's event.
2007-02-13 23:48:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Promoters can choose anyone they like for their cards. You can't sue a promoter for age discrimination, anymore than a short guy can sue the NBA. However if were succesful on the amateur circuit, then I guess you would your have a much better shot.
2007-02-14 05:17:52 · answer #8 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why not train like a son-of-a-gun, enter one of these events as the proverbial "tomato can," and show them what you can do by kicking one of these up-and-coming young guys' a**? That would be your best revenge in this situation!
2007-02-14 17:42:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
absolutely it is a title 7 violation
2007-02-13 23:10:33 · answer #10 · answered by thefemalealphawolf 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋