More on WWE/Endeavor deal: McMahon, White and McGregor comment

John Powell

More on WWE/Endeavor deal: McMahon, White and McGregor comment

There is more reaction and more fallout to the WWE’s announcement that they have been sold to Endeavor, the parent company of UFC.

WWE and UFC are merging to create a global live sports and entertainment company worth $21 billion dollars. The company’s ticker symbol on the stock exchange will be TKO.

Endeavor will own 51 percent controlling interest and WWE shareholders 49 per cent.

The new company will be led by Emanuel (Chief Executive Officer), who will also continue in his role as Chief Executive Officer of Endeavor, McMahon (Executive Chairman of the Board) and Mark Shapiro, who will be President and Chief Operating Officer of both Endeavor and the new company. Dana White will continue in his role as President of UFC and Nick Khan will serve as President of WWE. The Board of Directors will consist of 11 members who will be appointed at a later date, six of whom will be appointed by Endeavor and five of whom by WWE.

McMahon himself sent this message to all WWE employees this morning.

“I’m excited to announce that WWE has entered into a partnership with Endeavor to create a one-of-a-kind company that will bring together two global sports and entertainment powerhouses: WWE and UFC. The historic alliance of these two formidable institutions has the potential to unlock vast growth opportunities for both organizations and generate an optimal outcome for our employees, shareholders, fans, and other stakeholders. We are huge admirers of the work Endeavor has done to grow the UFC brand, and they will be the perfect partner to help supercharge our growth at WWE,” he wrote.

Dana White, the president of UFC had this to say about the news: “This company has been on fire for the last seven years and now that we will be adding WWE to the portfolio, I am excited to take this to another level.”

When it comes to whether Vince McMahon will be involved in WWE creative going forward McMahon muddied the waters even more by saying on Squawk in the Box with Ari Emmanuel: “Yes and no. On a higher level, yes. In the weeds, which I always loved to get into the weeds in the past…no, can’t do that.”

Nick Khan told spoke to Axios and commented on a number of topics.

A combined streaming deal: “The good folks at NBCU have been tremendous partners to us. So let’s see what they have to say.”

UFC’s deal with ESPN+ expires in 2025. WWE’s deal with Peacock expires in 2026.

More layoffs: “We’re not sure. An integration team is going to be put into place between both companies in short order, and we’ll know — we’ll have a lot more in the next week or two.”

Conor McGregor had this to say teasing a WWE and UFC crossover:

Jasmine Jasudavicius has already laid out a challenge:

NJPW’s ‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor commented as well:

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