Endeavor has acquired a majority stake in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and plans to create a new publicly traded company combining the assets of WWE and UFC.
Endeavor, the parent company of the UFC, has successfully closed a deal to obtain a majority share in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). According to CNBC, Endeavor now holds 51 percent control over WWE, with the remaining 49 percent maintained by current stockholders. As a result, Endeavor is expected to form a new publicly traded company that combines the assets of both the UFC and WWE.
Ari Emanuel, the current CEO of Endeavor, will serve as executive chairman for the merged company, while Mark Shapiro will be president and chief operating officer. Dana White is set to remain as the UFC President, and Nick Khan will continue to lead WWE under the new ownership. In a statement, Emanuel said, “This is a rare opportunity to create a global live sports and entertainment pureplay built for where the industry is headed. For decades, Vince [McMahon] and his team have demonstrated an incredible track record of innovation and shareholder value creation, and we are confident that Endeavor can deliver significant additional value for shareholders by bringing UFC and WWE together.”
Endeavor’s acquisition of WWE marks a significant expansion for the company, which previously operated as a talent agency known as William Morris Endeavor. The deal comes after Endeavor acquired UFC in 2016 for just over $4 billion, subsequently generating $1.3 billion in revenue in 2022 for the organization. Following the purchase of WWE, Endeavor placed an evaluation of over $12 billion on the UFC, adding enormous value to its portfolio alongside its new pro wrestling venture.