UFC used investment bank Goldman Sachs to facilitate the bids, however the deal itself is not expected to be formally announced until after the landmark UFC 200 event on July 9th, even if things are completed as early as the next few days.
Advertisement
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is said to be among the groups involved in the bidding for ownership of the UFC. Two groups have reportedly proposed offers in the $4.1 billion range: one a joint bid by William Morris Endeavor Agency and The Dalian Wanda Group, and the other from China Media Capital, that would yield 100 percent control of the promotion.
According to reports, a UFC sale would for the entire company, meaning shares owned by the the Fertitta brothers and White would be included. A spokesman declined to comment.
Both parties are trying to solidify investors to completely financing the buyout. The two high bidders, per ESPN sports business inside Darren Rovell, are WME-IMG (in conjunction with Dalian Wanda Group) and China Media Capital. They said WME co-chair Ari Emanuel has been touting the bid to rich investors, asking them to contribute between $25m and $50m.
The story also added that it’s believed White has been asked to stay on, if the UFC is in fact sold…
It’s looking increasingly likely that the UFC will be sold very soon..
Advertisement
The talk about Zuffa LLC selling the UFC has been brewing in the MMA community for quite awhile now, and it’s also taken a step up in recent weeks. Lorenzo Fertitta recently told CNN that the company grossed about $600 million in revenue in 2015.
