UFC parent body Endeavor to go private again in $27.50 per share Silver Lake deal less than 3 years after IPO

Endeavor, the parent company of UFC, has recently revealed its intentions to be purchased by the private equity firm Silver Lake for $27.50 per share. This decision represents a shift back to private ownership only three years after the sports, entertainment, and talent management conglomerate became a publicly traded company.

Silver Lake has confirmed that it will acquire Endeavor at a total equity value of $13 billion by purchasing all remaining shares that it does not already hold, as stated by the entertainment company.

This acquisition results in an additional $4.6 billion in equity value for all Endeavor shareholders, as the equity firm already holds 71% of the company’s voting shares. The deal is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025.

The merger of WWE and UFC last year resulted in TKO Group Holdings, which will continue to operate as a publicly traded company and will not be included in the Endeavor-Silver Lake transaction. This comes after the media holding company announced a “strategic review”of its assets in October 2023, with the goal of seeking ways to increase shareholder value, such as potentially going private.

Silver Lake’s connection to the UFC’s parent company can be traced back to their initial investment in William Morris Endeavor in 2012. This partnership continued when Endeavor acquired International Management Group in 2014 and then proceeded to purchase the MMA promotion in 2016.

Ariel Emanuel’s Perspective on Endeavor’s Partnership with Silver Lake

CEO of Endeavor, Ariel Emanuel, expressed gratitude and reassurance for the ongoing strategic partnership with Silver Lake.

Emanuel acknowledged the integral role of Egon Durban, co-CEO and managing partner of the equity firm, in driving Endeavor’s growth and success in the global sports and entertainment industry (statement via The Hollywood Reporter):

“Since 2012, Endeavor’s strategic partnership with Silver Lake and Egon Durban have been central to our evolution into the global sports and entertainment leader we are today. We believe this transaction will maximize value for all of Endeavor’s public stockholders and are excited to continue to unlock and invest in the growth opportunities ahead as a private company.”