UFC is the biggest mixed martial arts business in the world and is continuing. With the emergence of crossover stars Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor, they’re coming off a monster year. Sources with knowledge of the numbers presented to potential investors said that Goldman Sachs had represented UFC’s last full year earnings in the $200 million to $250 million range, before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The growth has drawn the attention of several potential buyers.
via ESPN:
At least four bidders are believed to have submitted bids for the organization, including WME/IMG, China Media Capital, The Blackstone Group and Dalian Wanda Group. The winning bid, should things proceed, is expected to be for a valuation between $3.5 billion and $4 billion, multiple sources with knowledge of the negotiations told ESPN.com.
UFC president Dana White said reports of the promotion being on the market are not true, telling the Las Vegas Review-Journal that “the UFC is not for sale.” On Wednesday morning, White reiterated that stance.
“Yeah, we’re not up for sale,” White said on The Dan Patrick Show. “We’re always working on deals and our expansion globally. I’ve been saying since this thing came out: No, we’re not for sale. But let me tell you what: If somebody shows up with $4 billion, we can talk. We can definitely talk.”
Said Dave Sholler, UFC’s vice president of public relations and athlete marketing: “As a private company, we don’t discuss speculation or rumors related to our business.”
It sounds like they’re listening to me.
