UFC appears to be for sale, and it sure ain’t coming cheap.
According to ESPN, multiple bids for the mixed martial arts franchise are “in the $4.1 billion range.” The bids reportedly come from WME-IMG in conjunction with Dalian Wanda Group, and China Media Capital. Both groups are interested in purchasing the entire company.
Last we heard, bids were between $3.5 billion and $4 billion, but apparently things have picked up a bit since then. Shortly after that initial report last month, UFC president Dana White, who has a small financial stake in the company, denied actively seeking to sell but noted that “If somebody shows up with $4 billion, we can talk. We can definitely talk.” Now it appears multiple someones have shown up and White is talking.
Process to sell UFC has picked up. After my story, UFC execs made parties sign more stringent non-disclosure documents.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 16, 2016
One big name reportedly involved in the potential deal is New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose group has chipped in between $25 million and $50 million to WME’s effort, according to ESPN.
Per ESPN, UFC grossed about $600 million in 2015 and is due for a rights deal that could double to $200 million a year in 2019.
Zuffa, a venture set up by brothers Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, bought UFC for $2 million in 2001. Since then, the sport has exploded into the national consciousness behind stars like Brock Lesnar, Jon Jones, Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor and apparently increased in value by a factor of 200.
[ESPN]
