An official close to the matter says WME-IMG has begun talks with Floyd Mayweather’s management.
Dana White is not involved in the bout negotiations for Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor according to an official close to the situation.
The unnamed source confirmed to the Los Angeles Time’s Lance Pugmire that talks between the UFC and Mayweather’s team have begun. The UFC’s side of the talks will be handled by the UFC’s ownership group, WME-IMG.
The UFC and Mayweather’s manager, Al Haymon, are working towards a fall date for the PPV bout, according to the source.
Dana White has been very vocal about the proposed fight and stated last month that he’s working on Mayweather’s side of the negotiations. White also said that he was heavily involved in getting McGregor’s side of the bout agreement finalized.
“As soon as [McGregor’s side] is done, we go to work. It will be me and (Al) Haymon, in Vegas or LA,” White told Brett Okamoto.
These new reports seem to suggest that White will be left out of negotiations, with Ari Emanuel’s team taking the lead in discussions moving forward.