In groundbreaking news, the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Endeavor, has acquired World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in a historic deal worth $9.3 billion. This marks the largest-ever purchase of a professional wrestling company and has been confirmed by both companies after being initially reported by Bloomberg.
Endeavor's acquisition of WWE represents a significant milestone in the world of professional wrestling. The $9.3 billion valuation is a premium of 36% on WWE's market capitalization of $6.6 billion, and it gives Endeavor control of one of the world's largest wrestling companies, with potential for expansion into new markets.
This acquisition comes after months of speculation about WWE's future, including rumors of the company going private. WWE's chairman, Vince McMahon, had reportedly received multiple offers for a potential $9 billion deal to take the company private.
For Endeavor, this purchase of WWE is the latest in a series of strategic acquisitions in recent years. The company acquired UFC in 2021 for $4 billion, which has since become one of the most successful mixed martial arts (MMA) organizations worldwide.
This acquisition presents Endeavor with significant opportunities, as WWE boasts a massive and dedicated fan base, with programming broadcast in over 180 countries. Moreover, the collaboration between UFC and WWE could potentially lead to joint events and programming, with the UFC benefiting from WWE's extensive network of sponsors and partners.
