Endeavor, the parent company of UFC, is set to acquire WWE in a deal worth $9.3 billion, according to CNBC. The merger will create a new publicly traded company that will operate both UFC and WWE. Endeavor/UFC will own a 51% stake while WWE shareholders will retain 49% ownership. Vince McMahon, the current largest shareholder of WWE, will continue to be the chairman of the WWE portion of the new company. Ari Emanuel, the founder and CEO of Endeavor, will be in charge as the CEO of the overall company.
The CEO of WWE, Nick Khan, is expected to remain the president of wrestling operations, while Dana White will continue to serve as the president of UFC.
According to Ari Emanuel, this merger is an opportunity to create a global live sports and entertainment company that aligns with the future of the industry. Vince McMahon and his team have a history of innovation and creating value for shareholders.
Vince McMahon temporarily stepped away from WWE in 2022 after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced. He later returned as the Executive Chairman in January, emphasizing the importance of his involvement in the negotiations for media rights and exploring strategic alternatives for the company.
Endeavor previously acquired a controlling interest in UFC in 2016, and in 2021, they took full ownership of the brand. UFC has an existing media rights deal with ESPN, while WWE has television rights deals with NBCUniversal and Fox. The completion of this merger comes at a time when negotiations for these media rights are approaching.
The official announcement of Endeavor’s purchase of WWE is expected to take place on Monday, shortly after WWE’s WrestleMania event concludes. This year’s event is anticipated to be the most attended and highest-grossing in history.
