WWE and Endeavor Group Holdings, the firm that owns the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), will combine to form a new sports entertainment company valued at $21.4B.
The
resulting firm, which does not yet have a name, will be led by current
Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel, while WWE's Vince McMahon will be vice
chairman.
- Endeavor will own a 51% stake in the resulting company and WWE shareholders will hold a 49% stake.
- The companies value UFC at $12.1B and WWE at $9.3B.
- McMahon
said the new business will focus on maximizing the value of current
media properties and seek to develop new types of content.
- Dana White will continue to serve as the president of UFC.
- Athletes
like Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey have previously moved between the
WWE and UFC, and the merger could lead to more fight sports athletes
crossing over between mixed martial arts and professional wrestling.
