WWE and UFC in Advanced Negotiations for a Multi-Billion Dollar Merger Deal

WWE has confirmed that it is nearing a merger deal with the UFC, giving rise to a new sports entertainment powerhouse. According to recent reports, the parent company of UFC, Endeavor Group, is planning to acquire a 51% stake in WWE and merge it with UFC. This merger would combine two of the largest sports entertainment brands globally, given their similarities in content and culture.

WWE Announces Merger Deal After Considering Buyers

The announcement from WWE comes after several months spent looking for buyers following rumors about Vince McMahon selling his stake in WWE. With the confirmation of the merger deal being imminent as soon as Monday, it effectively ends WWE’s decades-long status as a family-run business. McMahon took back control of WWE in January to oversee the hunt for a buyer.

Endeavor Group Set to Acquire Majority Stake in WWE

According to sources privy to the negotiations, Endeavor is expected to acquire a 51% stake in the combat sports and entertainment company through its purchase of WWE. As part of the deal, UFC and WWE are also anticipated to form an entirely new company together that will be publicly traded.

Ari Emanuel and Vince McMahon Will Run Newly Merged Company

Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel is expected to run both companies as chief executive after acquiring the controlling stakes from WWE stakeholders. Meanwhile, McMahon is expected to serve as the executive chairman overseeing all aspects of this newly merged company.

Combined Revenue Expected to Surpass $9 Billion

With its expected purchase of WWE for an enterprise value of $9.3 billion, Endeavor anticipates massive growth with this new endeavor. The combined revenue possible due to UFC being entirely owned by Endeavor since 2021 would drastically change how fans watch sports entertainment on TV.

Huge Viewer Prospects from the Merger

The combined WWE and UFC company is poised to become a ratings monster with WWE Raw being the highest-rated program on cable, averaging 1.83 million viewers. This is a 9% year-over-year increase in viewership and shows that fans are eager for such entertainment. Additionally, UFC has also done record-breaking numbers on TV with its recent shows, attracting 976,000 viewers.

Negotiations to Begin Soon

WWE’s current television contracts expire in October 2024, and negotiations with major networks like USA Network are expected to begin very soon. These negotiations could be impacted by this impending merger between the two companies.

Other Players in the Mix

Although WWE is currently in advanced negotiations with Endeavor, there are other players keenly interested in the company’s assets, as earlier reported by Khan in various media appearances discussing WWE’s potential sale.

In conclusion, this massive merger will have global implications for sports entertainment and shake up the industry as we know it. The coming days will be crucial as we wait for further updates on this giant deal that will reshape the economy of sports entertainment both domestically and internationally.

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