Directs the state athletic commission to review the need for regulation and licensing of professional wrestling

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Leroy Comrie and 1 co-sponsor

Directs the NYS Athletic Commission to formally review whether professional wrestling should be regulated and licensed, guiding future policy; no licensing rules set now.

REFERRED TO CULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM, PARKS AND RECREATION

What it is

Bill Number: S 5367

Title: Directs the state athletic commission to review the need for regulation and licensing of professional wrestling

Sponsor: Leroy Comrie (primary) with Patrick M. Gallivan (cosponsor)

Introduced: February 21, 2025

Current Status: REFERRED TO CULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM, PARKS AND RECREATION

Purpose and intent

The bill directs the New York State Athletic Commission to conduct a review of whether professional wrestling should be regulated and licensed in the state.

The core aim is to assess the need for regulation and licensing (i.e., whether such oversight is warranted, and under what circumstances it might be appropriate).

Key provisions (as stated)

Directs the State Athletic Commission to undertake a formal review of the necessity for regulation and licensing of professional wrestling within New York.

The provided text does not specify new licensing requirements or a regulatory framework; rather, it mandates an evaluation that could inform future policy decisions.

The bill’s language suggests the outcomes could be used to determine whether regulation/licensing is advisable and what form it might take, depending on the Commission’s findings.

Who would be affected

New York State Athletic Commission (the entity tasked with conducting the review)

Professional wrestling industry in New York, including:

Wrestlers and performers
Promoters, event organizers, and venues
Businesses involved in producing wrestling events

Consumers and attendees of wrestling events, through any potential future regulatory framework that could arise from the Commission’s recommendations

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and referral: February 21, 2025

Current stage: Referred to the Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation committee; listed as "REFERRED TO" in the 2025 actions (listed twice in the provided content, likely duplicate entry)

Next steps (typical legislative process): The committee would consider, possibly hold hearings or amendments, and report back with possible floor action. If the committee advances the bill, it would proceed through additional legislative votes and, if approved, to the other house for consideration.

Related legislation: S 5953 (prior-session) suggests prior interest in regulating professional wrestling, indicating ongoing policy discussion in this area.

Potential impact and considerations

If the review finds licensing or regulation warranted, the state could move toward establishing a regulatory framework (licensing, safety standards, oversight, etc.).

Conversely, a finding that regulation is unnecessary could maintain the status quo and avoid new regulatory burdens.

Any regulatory changes would have budgetary, administrative, and industry implications for the Commission and the wrestling sector in New York.

This summary captures the bill’s core purpose and potential impacts based on the information provided. If you’d like, I can add comparisons to related bills or outline possible regulatory models that could result from the Commission’s review.

Bill