UFC CEO Dana White Denies Report that Endeavor is purchasing Top Rank Boxing: ‘Absolutely positively not true’

Dana White Top Rank BoxingIs Dana White gearing up to buy his way into the world of boxing? On December 25, longtime boxing…

Dana White Top Rank Boxing

Is Dana White gearing up to buy his way into the world of boxing?

On December 25, longtime boxing promoter Rick Glaser dropped a bombshell on the world of combat sports, claiming that Endeavor, the parent company of both the UFC and WWE, was in the process of purchasing Top Rank Boxing.

“Promised everyone a Christmas gift, never printed, never talked about, biggest Boxing news in many years,” Glaser wrote on X. “Boxing powerhouse Top Rank is in the final due diligence stage of being sold to entertainment conglomerate Endeavor headed by Ari Emanuel.

“Endeavor is the parent company of UFC & WWE, translated means after 58 years in boxing, 92-year-old Bob Arum is retiring, & Dana White now enters the boxing business with the Top Rank purchase,” Glaser continued. “Look for long-time boxing stalwart & Dana White friend Tom Loeffler to have a major role at Top Rank once the purchase takes effect. Now that’s mega news in the Boxing World!!! Hope you enjoyed your Christmas gift!”

Despite Glaser having some very detailed notes on the reported acquisition, the UFC CEO was quick to dispute the statement on social media.

“Absolutely positively not true,” White wrote. “We are not buying Top Rank.”

White has a history of gainsaying big-money deals, the most egregious example being his outright denial that the UFC was being sold to Endeavor up until the moment it was officially announced.

According to The MMA Hour host Ariel Helwani, his sources claim that there is “no truth to the rumor at this time.”

With Endeavor’s incredibly deep pockets and Dana White’s well-documented desire to invade the boxing business, the transaction is undeniably plausible, but only time will tell if there’s any truth to the tale Glaser is trying to sell.

Endeavor confirm agreement to buy WWE, set to form $21,000,000,000 merger with the UFC

Endeavor confirm agreement to buy WWE merge with UFC $21 billion companyEndeavor, the parent company of the UFC, have confirmed via an official press release this Monday morning, that they have struck an agreement to acquire the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), with both companies sent to merge as part of a whopping $21,000,000,000 publicly traded entity.  Late last night, reports emerged detailing how the Ari Emanuel […]

Endeavor confirm agreement to buy WWE merge with UFC $21 billion company

Endeavor, the parent company of the UFC, have confirmed via an official press release this Monday morning, that they have struck an agreement to acquire the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), with both companies sent to merge as part of a whopping $21,000,000,000 publicly traded entity. 

Late last night, reports emerged detailing how the Ari Emanuel headed company, were engaged in advanced talks to acquire the WWE, who had hosted a two-night flagship WrestleMania event this weekend in Hollywood, California.

Of note, the deal, which includes both the UFC and WWE, would see the Dana White-led and Nick Khan-led organizations combine and merge into one publicily traded company. 

With the deal, Endeavor are expected to own 51% of the new merged company involving UFC and WWE, with shareholders of the professional wrestling promotion set to hold 49% of the company. 

The aforenoted leader, Emanuel is expected to act as chief executive of the newly merged company, with Vince McMahon expected to land as an executive chairman, joined by president, Mark Shapiro. As noted, UFC president, Dana White will remain, as will WWE CEO, Nick Khan. 

Endeavor confirm agreement to purchase the WWE

On Twitter this morning, the company confirmed the agreement to acquire the WWE and merge with the UFC, with chief executive, Emanuel providing a follow-up statement on the deal.

“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,” A tweet read.

“This is a rare opportunity to create a global live sports and entertainment purepplay built for where the industry is headed,” Ari Emanuel said. “For decades, Vince and his team have demonstarted an incredible track record of innovation and shareholder value creation, and we are confident that Endeavor can deliver significant additional value for shareholders by brining UFC and WWE together.” 

Report – UFC parent company Endeavor in talks to buy WWE, companies set to be combined in merger

UFC parent company Endeavor in talks to buy WWE publicly traded mergerVince McMahon’s famed company, the WWE, has spent recent months looking for a potential buyer. Now, according to insiders, it’s come to light that the WWE may be coming close to being sold to Endeavor, the parent company of the UFC. The news has been rumored to be released and confirmed as soon as Monday. […]

UFC parent company Endeavor in talks to buy WWE publicly traded merger

Vince McMahon’s famed company, the WWE, has spent recent months looking for a potential buyer. Now, according to insiders, it’s come to light that the WWE may be coming close to being sold to Endeavor, the parent company of the UFC.

The news has been rumored to be released and confirmed as soon as Monday. Insiders are remaining anonymous due to the fragile negotiations of the deal, but it is believed in good faith to be nearing a conclusion and solid agreement.

According to CNBC, Endeavor is said to be retaining a 51% share of the company, while the remaining 49% is going to be split amongst shareholders. According to the rumored deal, WWE is rumored to be valued at an astonishing $9.3 billion.

More details about the Endeavor buyout of the WWE come to light

According to the insiders, the executive layout will look like this: Ari Emanuel of the Endeavor group will be acting as chief executive of Endeavor and the WWE. Vince McMahon is slated to be the executive chairman. Endeavor president Mark Shapiro will retain his role with the new company, not gaining or losing any positioning in the new hierarchy of executives. UFC president Dana White will also remain stationary, neither gaining nor losing any positioning. WWE CEO Nick Khan will, however, be seemingly demoted to acting president of the WWE, in a role nearly identical to Dana White‘s with the UFC.

The news hits the same weekend as the WWE’s biggest PPV extravaganza: Wrestlemania. To get the deal done, it has been reported Vince McMahon has resumed his position as chairman. The wrestling promotion’s shares are up by over 25%, so it’s not like its being sold at a low point. In fact, shares are up an exact 33% at the time of this article and the WWE seems to be as strong as ever.

Sadly, if this deal does come to fruition, it will end the company’s run as the largest entertainment business to be family-run in the entire world. The company got its start in the early 1960s as the then-called World Wide Wrestling Federation, aka WWWF. Vince McMahon purchased the company from his father in the 1980s and recently retired due to several different reports of affairs and potential sexual assaults being covered up with McMahon’s dirty millions.

Khan accepted the CEO role in January of this year and has since reported many interested buyers in the wrestling outfit’s franchise.

Do you think Endeavor buying WWE would be a wise investment?

UFC Turns Over Record Revenues For 2022 Amidst Widespread Fighter Pay Debate

Endeavor, the UFC’s parent company, has revealed the record revenues generated by the MMA leader throughout 2022. With UFC and mixed martial arts still in its relative infancy, the sport is developing at a rapid rate. That trend has been consiste…

Endeavor, the UFC’s parent company, has revealed the record revenues generated by the MMA leader throughout 2022. With UFC and mixed martial arts still in its relative infancy, the sport is developing at a rapid rate. That trend has been consistently reflected in the growth of the UFC, the majority stake of which was acquired…

Continue Reading UFC Turns Over Record Revenues For 2022 Amidst Widespread Fighter Pay Debate at MMA News.

Matt Brown Trashes Endeavor Over Handling of Dana White Controversy

UFC welterweight veteran Matt Brown has spoken out against how Endeavor has handled Dana White slapping his wife last month. The UFC’s parent company has remained noticeably quiet on the matter. It’s been business as usual for White as the …

UFC welterweight veteran Matt Brown has spoken out against how Endeavor has handled Dana White slapping his wife last month. The UFC’s parent company has remained noticeably quiet on the matter. It’s been business as usual for White as the president of the UFC this month as well. His controversial new series Power Slap has…

Continue Reading Matt Brown Trashes Endeavor Over Handling of Dana White Controversy at MMA News.

United States senators call for UFC president Dana White’s ‘Immediate removal’ following altercation with wife

Dana White UFCA host of United States senators have called for UFC president, Dana White to be removed from his position with immediate effect, amid the release of footage of him striking his wife on multiple occasions during a physical altercation on New Year’s Eve last.  Dana White, the long-time president of the UFC was filmed engaging […]

Dana White UFC

A host of United States senators have called for UFC president, Dana White to be removed from his position with immediate effect, amid the release of footage of him striking his wife on multiple occasions during a physical altercation on New Year’s Eve last. 

Dana White, the long-time president of the UFC was filmed engaging in a physical altercation on New Year’s Eve in Mexico at a nightclub, in which the former slaps his wife after a verbal back-and-forth.

Addressing the incident, Dana White admitted that he and his wife had been drinking heavily ahead of the physical altercation, stressed their concern for their children, as well as claiming he was embarrassed by the situation.

“My wife and I were out on Saturday night on New Year’s Eve, and unfortunately that’s what happened,” Dana White told TMZ during an interview addressing the altercation. “I’m one of the guys, you’ve heard me say for years, there’s never, ever an excuse for a guy to put his hands on a woman, and now here I am on TMZ talking about it. My wife and I have been married for almost 30 years, we’ve known each other since we were 12 years old.”

“We’ve obviously been through some sh*t together, we’ve got three kids and this is one of those situations that’s horrible. I’m embarrassed, but it’s also one of those situations that right now, we’re more concerned about our kids.”

“We have three kids and obviously since the video popped up, we’ve shown the kids the video,” Dana White said. “We’re more focused on our family right now. People are going to have opinions on this, and most of the people’s opinions would be right, especially in my case. You don’t put your hands on a woman ever. My wife and I love each other, we’ve been together for a very long time. We’ve known each other since we were very little, and this is just one of those unfortunate situations.”

In the time since, ESPN, partners of the UFC, as well as parent company, Endeavor have yet to comment on Dana White’s altercation with his wife – with the latter also denying to comment on the situation.

US senators call for Dana White’s removal from role as UFC president

In response to Endeavor’s silence, California State Senator Nancy Skinner wrote an open letter to Ari Emanuel, on behalf of 17 state senators and 32 Assemblywomen, urging the Endeavor CEO to remove Dana White from his “leadership role” in the UFC.

“In the days since the video was released, you have remained silent,” The letter reads. “Your continued silence speaks volumes. As you once wrote: “Silence and inaction are not an option.” “We agree – and we are urging you to take immediate action.”  

“…The head of a major sporting organization cannot claim to be for the safety of women while a video of him striking his wife continues to circulate online without a response from you. The hypocrisy is astounding. Enough is enough. It is time to remove Mr. Dana White from his leadership role, to allow him and his partner to get the help they need while reminding the world of what Endeavor stands for and that violence against women is not a conduct that you condone.” (Transcribed by Bloody Elbow

The open letter penned to Endeavor CEO, Ari Emanuel can be viewed in its entirety, below.

Dear Mr. Emanuel,

We write with deep concern about the recent violent video we have seen online from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (U.F.C.) President Dana White. Our caucus, which is both bicameral and bipartisan, is composed of women across the State of California who are committed to creating better lives for women and girls. We care deeply about intimate partner violence, and we have seen how partner violence affects the lives of children and families. Most importantly, we are deeply aware of how impactful our actions are on the minds of young people, who learn from what we tolerate and what we condemn.

Given Mr. White’s previous remarks against domestic partner violence, we believed that Endeavor and the U.F.C. shared this commitment to safety, respect, and accountability. You yourself have written extensively about the need to speak out and act when we see things that are not in line with our values.

And yet, we have seen the video of U.F.C. President Dana White, where he strikes his wife at a New Year’s Eve celebration with a closed fist. We were appalled. It was alarming to say the least.

In the days since the video was released, you have remained silent. Your continued silence speaks volumes. As you once wrote: “Silence and inaction are not an option.”

We agree — and we are urging you to take immediate action. Like you, we are people who live by our values.

We, too, are people of action. We are allies against violence, advocates for women, and we are parents like yourself. This is why it is clear to us: we are calling for the immediate removal of Mr. Dana White as President of the U.F.C.

Every day that Mr. White’s actions go unaccounted for, your silence becomes more piercing and troubling. At this point, thousands of young men, women, and adults worldwide have seen the video of Mr. White striking his wife. We have also seen his apology. What we have not seen is any consequences for his actions.

As Chief Executive Officer of Endeavor, the U.F.C.’s parent company, you have the authority to decide who leads the U.F.C., which is one of the world’s most watched sporting leagues, with millions of fans across the globe. Mr. White is not only the external face of the U.F.C., he is the leader who sets the expectations for the athletes as well. He is the leader who has explained in years past that he stands firmly against domestic violence. If an athlete were to commit violence against their partner, Mr. White is the leader within U.F.C. who will have to determine the consequence. The eyes of the world are on him and on Endeavor.

The head of a major sporting organization cannot claim to be for the safety of women while a video of him striking his wife continues to circulate online without a response from you. The hypocrisy is astounding. Enough is enough. It is time to remove Mr. White from his leadership role, to allow him and his partner to get the help they need while reminding the world of what Endeavor stands for and that violence against women is not a conduct that you condone.

Sincerely,

Nancy Skinner, Chair

Senator, 7th District

Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Vice Chair

Assemblymember, 4th District