Topic: UFC Discussion

Report: UFC Close to Agreeing on Selling a Part of the UFC to Saudi Crown Prince

Anonymous Mode

You are not logged in to Tapology. When browsing anonymously, profanities and images are automatically removed from the forum.

GreenHornet
GreenHornet
  • Location: Boston
  • Member Since: 2013.05.02
  • Predictions:  42,796  |  62.5%
  • Forum Posts:  10,325
  • Post Score: 203

01.16.2018 | 3:54 PM ET

LINK

By Damon Martin

Endeavor — the parent group that owns the UFC as well as talent agency WME-IMG — is in talks with Saudi Arabia on an investment that could exceed $500 million for a partial ownership stake in the company.

According to multiple reports, Endeavor is deep into negotiations with the Saudi sovereign wealth fund that would see a potential $500 million plus investment into the company that would be good for a 5 to 10-percent ownership stake. 

Negotiations on the deal are reportedly still ongoing and no final decisions have been made.

The investment would allow Endeavor to continue to expand its business operations after several big purchases over these past few years including a $4 billion sale to purchase the UFC back in 2016.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al-Saud has been working towards expanding the country’s investments beyond oil and recently lifted a 35 year ban on cinemas in Saudi Arabia. The investment in Endeavor would be a huge step forward in exploring more options in the entertainment industry as WME-IMG is known as a power house Hollywood agency representing stars from film, television, music and books.

Last year, Endeavor received another big injection of funds to help cash out some executives as well as reportedly buying out minority UFC owners such as Flash Entertainment, a company based out of Abu Dhabi. Perhaps that move was made in long term planning to receive the investment from Saudi Arabia instead. 

Endeavor was valued at $6.3 billion including debt as of last year with investments in the company coming from numerous sources including Silver Lake and Softbank.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thoughts?

"..."

Responses

MassaBruce
MassaBruce

01.16.2018 | 4:19 PM ET

A lot to think about. More change is coming whether we like it or not. 
This user is suspended from posting until 5 years, 6 months, 2 weeks, 8 hours, and 31 minutes from now.
ImperatorFishrat
ImperatorFishrat
  • Location: Wife's Boyfriend's Kitchen
  • Member Since: 2017.09.16
  • Predictions:  7,002  |  63.2%
  • Forum Posts:  14,546
  • Post Score: 236

01.17.2018 | 5:08 AM ET

Insignificant. This basically a part-asset sale that will have no effect on the way the promotion works. If they do go public (which seems inevitable to me) that will be a different deal. If you think it's a dog and pony show now wait until it's beholden to shareholders.

Bellator will ultimately superate the UFC or at the very least become a legitimate competitor. It may take up to a decade, but it will happen.
This user is suspended from posting until 9 years, 1 week, 19 hours, and 16 minutes from now.
rappinpapsoda
rappinpapsoda
  • Location: Midwest
  • Member Since: 2013.07.05
  • Predictions:  71,442  |  59.8%
  • Forum Posts:  8,595
  • Post Score: 69

01.17.2018 | 6:34 AM ET

Interesting.

"The only thing predictable about MMA is that it is unpredictable."


You must be signed in to reply. Sign in or register to join the discussion.

As an anonymous reader, profanities and images are automatically removed from the forum.

  • Jits Magazine : UFC Star Jack Della Maddalena Promoted To BJJ Black Belt
  • UFC.com : Dana White Announces Main Event For UFC Saudi Arabia On June 22
  • MMA Junkie : UFC Saudia Arabia fight card announced with Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev headliner
  • MMA Mania : Khamzat Vs Whittaker Headlines UFC Saudi Arabia
  • MMAFighting.com : Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker set as UFC Saudi Arabia main event, 4 more fights announced
  • MMA Mania : Midnight Mania! Sandman Sees Suga Stop The Machine
  • UFC.com : UFC And Tourism WA Announce Multiyear Deal To Bring Two Action-Packed MMA Events To Perth
  • MMA Mania : UFC Atlantic City Odds, Under Dogs And Best Bets!
  • MMA Junkie : UFC free fight: Charles Oliveira rallies to light up Michael Chandler for first title win
  • MMA Mania : ‘Are We Fighting Or What?!’
  • MMA Junkie : Javier Mendez disagrees with Daniel Cormier's claim that Islam Makhachev more dangerous than Khabib Nurmagomedov
  • MMA Junkie : Cory Sandhagen: UFC champ Sean O'Malley has 'really good shot' of finishing Merab Dvalishvili
  • Bad Left Hook : ‘A win and a knockout’: Fabio Wardley prepared to put on a show against Frazer Clarke
  • MMA Mania : Eblen ‘Blows Through’ Adesanya, Reaches Strickland In MMA March Madness
  • MMA Junkie : Why UFC on ESPN 54's Vicente Luque accepted dangerous Joaquin Buckley replacement
  • MMAFighting.com : No Bets Barred: Can Manon Fiorot stop Erin Blanchfield at UFC Atlantic City? Plus, one time for Chris Weidman
  • MMA Mania : Barber: ‘Boring’ Blanchield ‘Fought My Leftovers’
  • MMAFighting.com : Dana White reflects on ugly moment striking his wife, changes he made
  • MMA Junkie : Nate Landwehr happy with UFC on ESPN 54 switch from Pat Sabatini to Jamall Emmers: 'It's better for the fans'
  • UFC.com : Hunting Runs Deep In The Swiderski Family