WME/IMG acquires UFC
Today's big deal is that WME/IMG has agreed to acquire UFC, the mixed martial arts powerhouse, with private equity backing from Silver Lake (already a WME investor), KKR and entities affiliated with Michael Dell. No financial terms are being disclosed, but sources put the price tag at around $4 billion. – Dan Primack
So, Dana White was actually lying when he said the company is not for sale. The once called unpopular, small-niche sport of men and women brutally pounding each-other has its owners feeling good after the Fertitta Brothers bought it for $2 million in 2000.
The 20+ year old league now has fights regularly showing in over 150 countries and legal in all 50 states. Additionally, 45% of its audience is made up of millennials.
This fact got me thinking, 45% of the audience is made up of millennials, so why sell it now? I know $4 billion dollars is more than a hefty return for White and the Fertitta Brothers, but couldn’t they sell it for much more down the line once UFC gains even more popularity? To be honest, I never thought it would become this popular and I don’t know if the fans did either, but people I wouldn’t even have imagined being into UFC enjoy watching it and honestly, I might give it a try.
Thoughts?
UFC Valuation at $3.5 - $4 billion? (Originally Posted: 05/11/2016)
Wow, didn't see it quite that high. whether they are for sale or not (Dana White came out and said the ESPN report was wrong), what do you see their valuation at? fwiw, they were valued at 2mm in 2001...
This is what was reported yesterday:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-ufc-sale-report-overblown-officials…
Qui laboriosam libero sequi odit iusto. Ducimus voluptatem repellendus quos eum quas qui. Vitae alias aut quis asperiores dolore minus.
Qui debitis architecto sint tenetur sed deleniti aut soluta. Temporibus eos aliquam sunt et. Ad labore illum possimus ullam dolores nobis fuga perferendis.
Dolore ea ipsam voluptas nobis ut quos. Libero aut iure non quidem omnis quis. Numquam esse corrupti omnis eos recusandae eaque nam fuga. Provident consequatur non aliquid consequuntur in ut amet.
Inventore voluptas quam sit animi aut. Nobis nulla rerum occaecati quasi iste non. Totam quis maiores voluptate accusantium. Atque cumque vero natus quaerat magnam animi.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...