Saudi Fund in Talks to Buy Stake in WME Parent Company

[FrankieNYC]

Saudi Fund in Talks to Buy Stake in WME Parent Company

Saudi Fund in Talks to Buy Stake in WME Parent Company
The sovereign wealth fund could spend more than $500 million to take a 5 percent-10 percent stake in the owner of WME.
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, is in talks about acquiring a stake in Endeavor, the holding company for talent agency WME, a source confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

Bloomberg News first reported the talks, citing unnamed sources familiar with the situation.

The preliminary discussions have focused on an investment of more than $500 million for a stake of 5 percent-10 percent, Bloomberg reported. The Saudi fund couldn't be reached for comment.

Endeavor was valued at $6.3 billion when it raised money in August, according to Bloomberg. Private equity firm Silver Lake, Japan's SoftBank, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board are among its current investors.

The capital infusion would give Endeavor more funds for its continued growth. Led by CEO Ari Emanuel and chairman Patrick Whitesell, the firm operates WME, the Miss Universe organization, sports and fashion powerhouse IMG and Ultimate Fighting Championship, among others.

The Saudi fund has struck some international deals before, including a $20 billion commitment to a U.S. infrastructure fund managed by Blackstone Group, up to $45 billion for a SoftBank technology fund and a $3.5 billion investment in Uber.

The entertainment industry is a key focus for the Saudi fund in the future. It has said it would establish an entertainment investment company that could spend up to 10 billion riyals, or $2.67 billion.

 

[FrankieNYC]

Of course nitwits will confuse this (like they did with the last bit of investors/WME) & think that Saudi is buying UFC.

If this comes to fruition. It is just another step in the company's plan to become a global powerhouse.

I said that one of the reasons WME-IMG purchased less then 50% of UFC (but kept controlling rights) was to expand their portfolio & that UFC could break even (loans) as an investment & it will still be a good deal bc WME-IMG goes up in value.

Of course they are doing much better then even (best 18 months in UFC history)

What this can mean for UFC?
Well, it can mean more money to buy out minority owners but even if they don't, it makes the parent company even stronger which is good.

Will this effect the MMA we see?
WTF knows? Everything can effect anything & anything can effect everything .

But as of now, it just gives Ari, Patrick more money to play with as far as expansion & acquisitions go.

Now that it looks like they are getting stronger & stronger, lets get to MMA & building UFC back up as far as public interest goes!

 

[SeattleFightFan]

Remind us again, how much did Flash Entertainment profit from buying 10% of Zuffa in 2010?

 

[ColombianFist]

Ok, this is getting interesting.

So in a way, this just strengthens WME as a brand which can benefit the UFC as a company. i don't think that will affect the UFC daily stuff, just gives more money to Ari to invest in the UFC or in whatever they want to do to position WME.

If there's a change in the UFC it has to start with uncle dana, but that's impossible.

 

[FrankieNYC]

Ok, this is getting interesting.

So in a way, this just strengthens WME as a brand which can benefit the UFC as a company. i don't think that will affect the UFC daily stuff, just gives more money to Ari to invest in the UFC or in whatever they want to do to position WME.

If there's a change in the UFC it has to start with uncle dana, but that's impossible.

Pretty spot on
But they love DW so he is not going anywhere.

But look at who invest in WME-IMG/Endeavor ... foreign entities
That should be a key to helping expand UFC

 

[TheRassler]

do the Saudi's know that the UFC is dying?


someone tell them to come on sherdog...

 

[FrankieNYC]

Remind us again, how much did Flash Entertainment profit from buying 10% of Zuffa in 2010?

Reportedly they bought-in at $100m
They would have received $379.5m from the sale

 

[FrankieNYC]

do the Saudi's know that the UFC is dying?


someone tell them to come on sherdog...

I think you mean that WME were conned to buy a company that went up in value & had its best year ...

 

[Kyler Ruxin]

Saudi/Israel covert alliance confirmed.

 

[FrankieNYC]

Saudi/Israel covert alliance confirmed.

I read that in Al Bundy's voice

 

[Mr.Maelstrom]

Sounds explosive

 

[weed]

remember when a bunch of rabbis said MMA is on "some level anti-Semitic"?

 

[FrancisBergoglio]

do the Saudi's know that the UFC is dying?


someone tell them to come on sherdog...

They don't want to be the next Iraq or Libya.They have to spend their money.

 

[UL]

do the Saudi's know that the UFC is dying?


someone tell them to come on sherdog...

they don't care

too much $

 

[Necromantic]

Saudi Fund in Talks to Buy Stake in WME Parent Company

Saudi Fund in Talks to Buy Stake in WME Parent Company
The sovereign wealth fund could spend more than $500 million to take a 5 percent-10 percent stake in the owner of WME.
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, is in talks about acquiring a stake in Endeavor, the holding company for talent agency WME, a source confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

Bloomberg News first reported the talks, citing unnamed sources familiar with the situation.

The preliminary discussions have focused on an investment of more than $500 million for a stake of 5 percent-10 percent, Bloomberg reported. The Saudi fund couldn't be reached for comment.

Endeavor was valued at $6.3 billion when it raised money in August, according to Bloomberg. Private equity firm Silver Lake, Japan's SoftBank, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board are among its current investors.

The capital infusion would give Endeavor more funds for its continued growth. Led by CEO Ari Emanuel and chairman Patrick Whitesell, the firm operates WME, the Miss Universe organization, sports and fashion powerhouse IMG and Ultimate Fighting Championship, among others.

The Saudi fund has struck some international deals before, including a $20 billion commitment to a U.S. infrastructure fund managed by Blackstone Group, up to $45 billion for a SoftBank technology fund and a $3.5 billion investment in Uber.

The entertainment industry is a key focus for the Saudi fund in the future. It has said it would establish an entertainment investment company that could spend up to 10 billion riyals, or $2.67 billion.

There goes WMMA

 

[Uber_Noober]

Rumor is Dana's replacement has already been selected.

 

[Uber_Noober]

Sounds explosive

<[analyzed}>

 

[Pitier of Fools]

Saudi/Israel covert alliance confirmed.

Uh oh. Don't tell Eddie Bravo.

 

[Mr.Maelstrom]

<[analyzed}>

I fucking loved Chopper

 

[markys00]

Choppa style chop chop Choppa style



This only helps