WWE sold

2023 - 4 - 3

WWE is combining with UFC to form a new company (CNN)

World Wrestling Entertainment is merging with Endeavor Group, the parent company of competitor UFC, to form a new publicly traded company.

[McMahon](https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/19/business/vince-mcmahon-settlement/index.html), the company’s largest shareholder, was forced to [retire as its CEO last year](https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/22/media/vince-mcmahon-retires-wwe/index.html) following a hush money and sexual harassment scandal. The WWE made more than $1.29 billion in revenue in 2022 and its shares up more than 30% for the year. [outright owner of the UFC in 2021](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2939077-endeavor-agrees-to-acquire-full-control-of-ufc-after-previously-owning-501). Monday’s deal marks the end of WWE as a family-owned business. Emanuel, a Hollywood powerhouse agent, will be the CEO of the new company and retain his chief executive title at the agency. Vince McMahon bought the company from his father in the early 1980s and transformed it into an entertainment empire with several weekly live events. I loved building the WWE. Vince McMahon will retain his current WWE title of executive chairman at the new company, which doesn’t yet have name. It will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “TKO.” Revenue for its sports unit, which houses the UFC, grew 20% last year to $1.3 billion thanks in part to increased media rights fees. Endeavor shareholders will own 51% of the newly combined company, while WWE shareholders are getting 49%. WWE shares fell nearly 10% in early trading and Endeavor slumped about 2%.

WWE sold to Endeavor, Vince McMahon speaks on transaction (PWTorch)

WWE was sold to Endeavor on Monday morning and will merge with UFC to form a $21 billion dollar sports and entertainment company.

At closing, Endeavor intends to sweep all excess cash at UFC, and shareholders of the new company (other than Endeavor) are expected to receive a post-closing dividend. The listing of NewCo will expand the collective investor base to allow for broad market participation across Endeavor and NewCo. Dana White will continue in his role as President of UFC and Nick Khan will serve as President of WWE. McMahon continued, “Together, we will be a $21+ billion live sports and entertainment powerhouse with a collective fanbase of more than a billion people and an exciting growth opportunity. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2023. “This is a rare opportunity to create a global live sports and entertainment pureplay built for where the industry is headed,” said Ariel Emanuel, CEO of Endeavor. WWE issued a press release today confirming the news coming out of yesterday’s report from CNBC that Endeavor would acquire WWE and merge the company with UFC to create a new company. Upon close, Endeavor will hold a 51% controlling interest in the new company and existing WWE shareholders will hold a 49% interest in the new company. Together, UFC and WWE will have global reach, impressive scale and omnichannel distribution. “Together, we will be a $21+ billion live sports and entertainment powerhouse with a collective fanbase of more than a billion people and an exciting growth opportunity. (NYSE: WWE) (“WWE”) today announced that they have signed a definitive agreement to form a new, publicly listed company consisting of two iconic, complementary, global sports and entertainment brands: UFC and WWE. (NYSE: EDR) (“Endeavor”) and World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

WWE Sells To Endeavor, Creating A $21 Billion Powerhouse: A ... (Forbes)

WWE has officially been purchased by Endeavor in a blockbuster deal that will see WWE and UFC merge into a publicly traded company worth over $21 billion.

[reported](https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1163294/wwe-reportedly-sold-to-saudi-arabias-public-investment-fund/) WWE had been sold to the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia in a news story that led to immediate widespread backlash and panic among WWE fans and Superstars. WWE actively remained in talks to sell the company as WWE [hosted several prospective buyers](https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1246422/backstage-details-on-wwe-selling-to-endeavor-group-merging-with-ufc/) during WrestleMania weekend. WWE will now merge with UFC to form a $21 billion publicly traded company. My return will allow WWE, as well as any transaction counterparties, to engage in these processes knowing they will have the support of the controlling shareholder.” “About 8 months ago, I took a leave of absence and within a few weeks, unexpectedly had the opportunity of a lifetime. But as 2022 continued to deliver one blockbuster story after another, the title of “most shocking story of the year” became bastardized. McMahon was on his way back to WWE and he "This is a rare opportunity to create a global live sports and entertainment pureplay built for where the industry is headed," added CEO Ari Emanuel. To date, it was the most shocking story of the year. Instead, WWE will remain a publicly traded company alongside UFC to form a sports entertainment powerhouse. McMahon was reportedly [supervising](https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1246097/vince-mcmahon-was-reportedly-supervising-night-1-of-wwe-wrestlemania-39-but-triple-h-was-in-charge/) backstage during WrestleMania weekend. Endeavor emerged as a favorite to purchase when the

WWE sold to parent company of UFC, creating $21.4B joint sports ... (mlive.com)

The deal was announced Monday morning, just hours after WWE completed its signature WrestleMania event.

McMahon went on to say the company will now look to maximize combined media rights for UFC and WWE, while also increasing sponsorship monetization and working to create new forms of content. Those deals are set to expire next Fall and WWE is expected to begin negotiations for those rights soon. WWE President Nick Khan will remain in his position as well, the AP reports. According to the Associated Press, the two combat companies will be operated by a newly formed publicly traded company owned by Endeavor Group Holdings Inc. Last year, WWE reported revenues of $1.3 billion. The deal was announced Monday morning, just hours after WWE completed the second night of its signature event WrestleMania.

WWE Sold To UFC Parent Company Endeavor (GameSpot)

The two entities will be combined to form a $21 billion live entertainment and media company.

A new board of directors will also be created for the new company, with six members appointed by UFC and five by WWE. Endeavor--a Hollywood representation company that has worked with the NFL, NCAA, and more--and its shareholders will own 51% of the new company, while shareholders of WWE will own the remaining 49%. The new company will be led by Endeavor CEO Ariel Emanuel, who will also continue in that role. Paul "Triple H" Levesque, chief content officer of WWE, was asked about the rumor during the [post-Wrestlemania press conference](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Psqd1Bj9Gqs), but he denied comment. The new company created by this transaction will be valued at approximately $21.4 billion, with $12.1 billion of that value coming from UFC and the other $9.3 billion from WWE. Less than 24 hours after the final bell of Wrestlemania 39--and amid swirling rumors that began earlier Sunday--Endeavor has announced it will acquire WWE and combine it with the UFC, which it also owns, to form a brand-new live entertainment company.

WWE sold to UFC-owner Endeavor in $9.3 billion deal, combined ... (Livemint)

Under the acquisition agreement, the Endeavor shareholders will own 51% of the combined company and the remaining 49% will be with WWE shareholders.