Tag: UFC Sold

Six Reasons The UFC’s New Owners Are Walking Into A Hornet’s Nest

A few months ago, it was confirmed that the UFC had been sold for a record-setting $4.2 billion to a group of investors led by talent agency WME-IMG. Obviously, based on the price at which the company was sold, the UFC is a very lucrative promotion, and the new owners would potentially be reaping the

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A few months ago, it was confirmed that the UFC had been sold for a record-setting $4.2 billion to a group of investors led by talent agency WME-IMG. Obviously, based on the price at which the company was sold, the UFC is a very lucrative promotion, and the new owners would potentially be reaping the benefits for years to come.

However, it could also be argued that the Fertitta brothers, the previous owners of the UFC, escaped at the right time. In other words, WME-IMG may have purchased the promotion with a laundry list of problems they may not have been fully aware of. Let’s take a look at six reasons why the new owners are walking into a hornet’s nest:

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A Potential Fighters’ Union

In recent years, fighter treatment and fighter pay have become growing issues within the UFC. Given that fighters are technically ‘independent contractors’, however, they don’t have much say in these areas, and the UFC has been able to hold a death grip and express its power in a system that seems to benefit the promotion much more than the fighters.

That could change if a fighters union were to come to fruition, however, and the talks of such a union forming have increased in recent memory. In fact, just this past August longtime baseball agent Jeff Borris announced that he would be attempting to unionize fighters through the creation of the Professional Fighters Association.

If Borris can indeed spearhead this idea, the UFC may be forced to change the tactics that have made it such a lucrative promotion for years. If fighters were represented correctly and unionized, they would likely demand better pay and better conditions.

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Dana White Signs New Five Year Contract

When it was confirmed earlier this week that the UFC had indeed been purchased for a record setting $4 billion by WME-IMG, it was also reported that UFC President Dana White would keep his position while UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta would be stepping down from his day to day responsibilities. Not only will White be

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When it was confirmed earlier this week that the UFC had indeed been purchased for a record setting $4 billion by WME-IMG, it was also reported that UFC President Dana White would keep his position while UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta would be stepping down from his day to day responsibilities. Not only will White be remaining on board, but he has also received a new and lucrative contract in order to do so.

According to a report from ESPN’s Darren Rovell, White’s new contract is a five year deal that includes him earning nine percent of the company’s future net profits. The UFC boss had previously owned approximately nine percent of the company meaning he’ll receive a hefty $360 million from the promotion’s sale. The report also indicated that it’s currently unknown whether or not White will continue to own a percentage of the world’s largest mixed martial arts organization.

As for what the future now holds for White in terms of his financial earnings, Rovell claimed that based off of an estimated $200 million yearly net profit for the UFC, White could earn roughly $18 million a year. That number would also increase as the UFC’s profits increase which of course is the ultimate goal.

After purchasing the UFC in 2001 for $2 million, White along with the Fertitta brothers have essentially built the sport of mixed martial arts from the ground up. The trio deserves a tremendous amount of credit for all they’ve done, and White’s new contract displays his value to the sport.

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Ronda Rousey Likely To Remain With WME-IMG After UFC Purchase

With this morning’s (Mon., July 11, 2016) breaking news that the UFC had been purchased for a record $4 billion, countless unknowns arose regarding the direction of the world’s biggest MMA promotion. Apparently a question regarding former women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey won’t be one of them, however. When the UFC was bought by William Morris Endeavor

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With this morning’s (Mon., July 11, 2016) breaking news that the UFC had been purchased for a record $4 billion, countless unknowns arose regarding the direction of the world’s biggest MMA promotion.

Apparently a question regarding former women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey won’t be one of them, however.

When the UFC was bought by William Morris Endeavor and their investors – a group called WME-IMG – a peculiar situation arose given that Rousey is represented by the WME-IMG talent agency. It may have seemed that created a stark conflict of interest involving her fighting, but Rousey will reportedly stay with the group because WME-IMG never negotiated her actual fights with the UFC.

ESPN’s Darren Rovell was the first to clarify the details:

Rousey famously made a whirlwind run to the lofty position of the UFC’s (and MMA’s overall, for that matter) biggest-ever crossover star from 2013-2015, defending her title a record six straight times with all coming by way of finish.

But that hype train came crashing to a halt at last year’s UFC 193, where Rousey lost to now-former champion Holly Holm via brutal head kick following a one-sided striking display from “The Preacher’s Daughter,” who boasted an extensive striking resume as a former champion boxer.

Rousey has since gone into a self-imposed seclusion of sorts, appearing rarely in public as her fighting future remains highly unknown. After recently undergoing a minor arthroscopic procedure on her knee, Dana White has hinted that Rousey may not return to the octagon until 2017.

He also stated that “Rowdy” will fight the champion, who is now Amanda Nunes after she beat Miesha Tate, who beat Holm at UFC 196, in the main event of UFC 200. If and when she does, her status with WME-IMG won’t be an issue.

Now it’s just a matter of getting arguably the new company’s biggest star to find her passion for fighting again.

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Dana White Reacts To UFC Sale

Rumors regarding the potential sale of the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion have been swirling for months now with UFC President Dana White constantly denying the reports. Today (July 11, 2016), however, the official announcement has come, as the UFC has indeed been sold for $4 billion dollars to an investment group led by

The post Dana White Reacts To UFC Sale appeared first on LowKick MMA.

Rumors regarding the potential sale of the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion have been swirling for months now with UFC President Dana White constantly denying the reports. Today (July 11, 2016), however, the official announcement has come, as the UFC has indeed been sold for $4 billion dollars to an investment group led by WME-IMG.

While CEO Lorenzo Fertitta will be taking a step down from his day to day responsibilities, White will be staying on in his role as President. Check out what the UFC boss had to say about the sale below:

 “Exact opposite,” White told ESPN in regards to fans being worried about the changing of the guard. “Sport is going to the next level.”

“No other sport compares to UFC,” White said in today’s release (Via MMAMania). “Our goal has always been to put on the biggest and the best fights for our fans, and to make this the biggest sport in the world. I’m looking forward to working with WME | IMG to continue to take this sport to the next level.”

The UFC has built the sport of mixed martial arts into a main stream attraction throughout its 23 year history, and much of the credit for doing so should be handed to White and the Fertitta brothers. As far as immediate changes to the promotion, it’s currently unclear what plans the new owners have in mind.

Stay tuned to LowKickMMA as more news unfolds on this breaking story.

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Zuffa E-Mails Fighters Regarding Sale Of UFC

News officially broke early this morning that Zuffa has sold the UFC to WME-IMG and MSD, for the largest sale in the history of sports with a sale price of $4 Billion. Amongst the madness the Zuffa executive team has taken the time to send the following e-mail, courtesy of MMA Fighting, to it’s athletes regarding the

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News officially broke early this morning that Zuffa has sold the UFC to WME-IMG and MSD, for the largest sale in the history of sports with a sale price of $4 Billion.

Amongst the madness the Zuffa executive team has taken the time to send the following e-mail, courtesy of MMA Fighting, to it’s athletes regarding the UFC sale.

Some key points in the email include the UFC’s new owners, the Fertittas retaining a minority ownership interest, UFC President Dana White remaining on staff in the same capacity, and much more:

Dear Athletes,

We are writing to personally advise you of a change to UFC. Renowned entertainment, sports and fashion giant WWE | IMG has entered into agreement to acquire UFC. Silver Lake Partners, KKR, MSD Capital, L.P. and MSD Partners, L.P. will join WME | IMG as new strategic investors. The transaction is subject to customary conditions.

From the moment Zuffa, LLC purchased UFC over 15 years ago, you, the athletes, have always been the central focus of the promotion. That will not change. WME | IMG, who has been involved with UFC for many years, is focused on the continued global expansion of mixed martial arts and committed to further promotion you on the global stage.

Upon closing the deal, Lorenzo Fertitta will be stepping down as Chairman and CEO of the organization, however Lorenzo and Frank will retain a minority ownership interest in the business. UFC President Dana White will continue in his role and will also retain a minority ownership interest.

The organization’s leadership, a team of great executives hand-picked to help lead the business, will remain in place to carry on their work and continue to lead the team of dedicated employees who promote your careers as mixed martial arts athletes.

You remain a very important part of the highly driven, dedicated and motivated organization that will continue to deliver world-class experiences and opportunities for you as athletes and for the greatest fans in the world.

Thank you,

The Zuffa executive team

What are your thoughts on the UFC’s new owners, do you expect immediate change?

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BREAKING: Zuffa Officially Sales UFC For $4 Billion Price Tag, Dana White’s Status Revealed

According to Sports Director Chris Maathuis of KLAS-TV (CBS), Zuffa has officially sold the UFC to WME-IMG and MSD capital for a hefty $4 Billion price tag making it the largest sale in sports history: Largest sale in history of sports. #UFC sold for 4 billion to WME-IMG and MSD capital. Fertittas and White small % pic.twitter.com/b7Fj0ZXs4x

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According to Sports Director Chris Maathuis of KLAS-TV (CBS), Zuffa has officially sold the UFC to WME-IMG and MSD capital for a hefty $4 Billion price tag making it the largest sale in sports history:

ESPN’s Bret Okamoto also reported that current UFC President Dana White will remain with the UFC in his same role:

Much speculation had been made about weather or not the sale was actually true, as rumors had swarmed throughout the media that a sale was nothing more than a rumor.

White also very openly denied the rumors when confronted about them, the UFC even went as far as issuing a memo to it’s employees that a sale of the company should be the least of they’re worries.

The UFC just wrapped up it’s biggest week in company history, as it’s International Fight Week has concluded after last night’s (July 9, 2016) massive UFC 200 event that had it’s fair share of misfortunes leading up to the event.

CBS channel 8 news will reportedly have exclusive interviews with Lorenzo Fertitta and White later this morning.

Stay tuned in with LowKick for all the latest news on the UFC sale, including statements from Fertitta and White themselves

 

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