Butakha is the owner of Republic City's Pro-bending Arena and the director of the pro-bending league. He oversees the league and is responsible for distributing winnings to victorious pro-bending teams, collecting rent payments, and providing equipment for the players.[1]
Shortly after the Avatar's arrival in Republic City, Butakha met with the Fire Ferrets during one of their early practices in Toza's gym. There, he handed Mako the team's winnings from their previous match, but soon reclaimed all of it after he took off payment for Korra's pro-bending gear, the team's gym and equipment lease, rent on Bolin and Mako's attic space, and a personal loan for groceries taken out by Bolin. He then explained to the Fire Ferrets that they needed to ante up thirty thousand yuans to contribute to the championship pot or they would be forced to forfeit the tournament.[1]