Jun 20, 2016
Report: WME-IMG group wins UFC bidding
FloSports' Jeremy Botter reports that a group consisting of WME-IMG, in conjunction with the Dalian Wanda Group and investment from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and the Kraft Group has won the bidding to purchase the company for a reported $4.2 billion.
TSN.ca Staff
It appears the Ultimate Fighting Championship has found new ownership.
FloSports' Jeremy Botter reports that a group consisting of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment-International Management Group in conjunction with the Dalian Wanda Group and investment from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and the Kraft Group has won the bidding to purchase the company from Zuffa, LLC for a reported $4.2 billion.
Zuffa is owned by Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, Dana White and Flash Entertainment. It is believed that the purchase is for 100 per cent of the company.
In an statement to Yahoo Sports on Monday night, the UFC denied the report.
"FloCombat.com's report indicating that the UFC has been sold is false," UFC vice-president Dave Sholler wrote. "We've communicated that to our staff members tonight via an internal memo."
Founded in 1993, Zuffa purchased the UFC in 2001 for $2 million from the Semaphore Entertainment Group. Since then, the UFC has become a sporting juggernaut and bringing mixed-martial arts into the mainstream.
White, the UFC's chairman, is expected to remain on with the organization under the new ownership.