Mixed-Martial Arts Company UFC Sold For 4 Billion Dollars

The UFC made the news headlines this week, as it has been confirmed that the company has been sold for a sum of $4 billion. The Fertitta brothers, who bought UFC for $2 million in 2001, will hold a passive minority stake in the company after the deal closes.

Current UFC president Dana White is set to continue in current role.

“As far as the business goes, our goal was to always take this sport to the next level, and Ari and WME-IMG are the guys to take it from here”, White told the Los Angeles Times.

Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell, co-CEOs of WME-IMG said that they are fortunate over the years to represent UFC and some of its remarkable athletes. It is unclear yet whether the non-unionized athletes of the sport will receive more money due to this deal.

“We are now committed to pursuing new opportunities for UFC and its talented athletes to ensure the sport’s continued growth and success on a global scale”.

The details behind what White stands to gain financially under the new ownership have been revealed by ESPN’s Darren Rovell. The UFC has a full slate of fights scheduled this year, all building toward its long-awaited debut at Madison Square Garden in November after NY legalized MMA earlier this year.

WME-IMG is a leader in entertainment and sports with more than 800 owned, operated and commercially represented events.

Few companies do that better than WME, but the UFC has also been pretty good at building stars in its own violent milieu. Maybe thats why Conor McGregor said at a recent press conference that he is the reason the Chinese value the UFC at $4.2 Billion USD? “Hopefully a few new (women’s MMA) weight classes too!”

The UFC produces more than 40 live events each year and sells out some of the most prestigious arenas around the world. More updates and details are expected soon.

The acquisition, which has one of the largest ever price tags for a sports brand, is also backed by private, equity firms Silver Lake Partners LP and KKR & Co LP, as well as investment firms owned by billionaire Michael Dell and his family.

The agency’s other sports assets include the Professional Bull Riders league, which it acquired past year.

UFC’s chief executive and chairman, Lorenzo Fertitta, will no longer be involved in the company’s day-to-day operations.