If White continues to grow the UFC at a record pace, he could wind up earning more than National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell, who averaged $21 million per year over his first decade with the NFL.
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The word out is that Dana White is confirmed to have a nine percent stake following the WME-IMG deal. Using ballpark estimates, ESPN estimated this would put the UFC’s bottom-line profits somewhere in the range of $200 million, meaning White would make approximately $18 million a year to start.
Much speculation was on what role White would have with the UFC following the sale of the company. From the $4 billion sale, White stands to get $360 million once the deal is closed. UFC’s broadcast rights deal with Fox ends in 2018 and negotiations for a new agreement, which could see ESPN pitted against rival ESPN will, in all likelihood, generate significantly more money than the seven-year deal it signed in 2011. White has yet to confirm though it is highly doubtful he would reveal the numbers of his new pact.
White, according to KLAS, will also retain an ownership stake, although it will be below the nine percent that he now owns. The Fertitta brothers and White purchased the promotion for $2 million in 2001. It looms as a lucrative package but no one can deny the mileage that White has had as far as bumping up the UFC’s stock.
“We’re now committed to pursuing new opportunities for UFC and its talented athletes to ensure the sport’s continued growth and success on a global scale”, Emanuel said. The new owners obviously took note of what he has accomplished and are looking for more ways to push the UFC up.
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With White still on board, there could be changes but for the better, CBS Sports reported.
