Report: WWE finalizing deal to be sold to Endeavor

[Big Red Machine]

https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/repo ... o-endeavor

A spin-off company combining WWE & UFC would be created.

Ian Carey
1 hour ago



Endeavor, the parent company of UFC, is reportedly in advanced talks to purchase WWE on a deal that could be announced as soon as Monday.

CNBC's Alex Sherman reported the news Sunday afternoon, hours before the second night of WrestleMania 39.

As part of the agreement, WWE and UFC would merge into one publicly traded company with 51% owned by Endeavor and the other 49% by WWE shareholders, according to the outlet's sources.

Sherman reported the deal will give WWE an enterprise value of $9.3 billion and UFC with an enterprise value of $12.1 billion.


Vince McMahon is reportedly expected to remain as Executive Chairman of WWE with Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel expected to become the new company's chief executive.

Endeavor president Mark Shapiro will serve in the same role for the newly created company with WWE CEO Nick Khan acting as president of the wrestling side of the business with Dana White remaining president of UFC.

Emanuel commented on the company's potential interest in WWE last month during Endeavor's fourth quarter earnings call. At the time, he seemed to suggest they weren't looking at purchasing the company.

“As it relates to WWE, it’s an unbelievable product,” Emanuel said. “Vince, you know, created a great business. We’ve had a longstanding relationship with them over two decades. We’re doing on location business with them, streaming business with them, his business is really valuable. But we’re not going to do anything as it relates to changing our leverage position right now.”