Hours before its signature event, WrestleMania 39, got underway Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, a report on CNBC.com indicated that UFC parent company Endeavor was poised to purchase the WWE, the world’s leading wrestling brand, in a mega-deal.
CNBC reported that Endeavor would acquire a 51% stake in WWE and merge it with UFC in a new company that would be headed by Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel.
WWE CEO Nick Khan did not respond to requests for comment from Yahoo Sports.
Endeavor acquired controlling interest in the UFC in a massive $4.25 billion deal in 2016. It bought out the remaining shareholders in 2021 to become 100% owners. On the Endeavor earnings call Feb. 28, Emanuel said revenue in its owned sports division was $301.4 million, up 9% year over year. He credited that to higher rights fees at UFC, pay-per-view revenue, sponsorship and licensing.
more at yahoo.com
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