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.
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 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. The sale is expected to pass regulators and close by the end of 2023.
Today, @Endeavor announced it has signed an agreement to form a $21+ billion global live sports and entertainment company made up of @UFC and @WWE. https://t.co/lPrkBmKJXm pic.twitter.com/ZBk95c5exU
— Endeavor (@Endeavor) April 3, 2023
The new company will be led by Endeavor CEO Ariel Emanuel, who will also continue in that role. Vince McMahon, the creator of the WWE, will act as executive chairman of the board, and president and COO Mark Shapiro.