Support NeoGAF

[Frozenprince]

Do it Dana.

Do it.

 

[RBH]

I like how OP bolded the whole article but it's all just boring financial talk.

It's not the whole article, and that financial talk is kinda the whole point of the story.

 

[Pristine_Condition]

How is UFC generating about the same revenue as WWE but earning a crap ton more profit?

Fighters are paid that terribly huh?

No. It's not fighter pay.

UFC earns that much revenue doing 25 events a year.

With two main-roster touring groups worldwide and NXT, WWE sometimes does three shows in one day. They do hundreds of shows a year, including two regular TV tapings a week, and sometimes four (on PPV/"Special Event" weeks,) to make that money. WWE's road crew expenses are huge doing that many shows.

 

[mjontrix]

If I had 35 billion dollars, I would make Weeaboos fight to the death wearing Fedoras, over a rare copy of Gurran Langan accidentally signed by Haruki Murakami, atop a zeppelin, called the SS Honor and Shame.

Damn this is too funny - nearly broke down laughing on the train.

 

[olympia]

apparently dana is denying allegations that the ufc is "for sale".

 

[RBH]

On the heels of Ariel Helwani claiming that the sale of the UFC was “progressing” on Tuesday, his MMA Fighting colleague Dave Meltzer has reported that “the bidding period (for the UFC) is expected to end on or around June 16 … in the $4 billion price range for 100 percent ownership.”

Meltzer — citing a source involved in the bidding — first brought these figures to light in his Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscription only) from May 30, aligning with Darren Rovell’s original report from several weeks prior. ESPN's sports business expert said the UFC was “in advanced talks to sell the business” on May 11, but had his findings swiftly rejected by UFC President Dana White.

“The UFC is not for sale,” White told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “The ESPN story is overblown. Darren Rovell is not a fan of facts.”

White is one of the four owners of Zuffa LCC, the UFC’s parent entity, holding a 9% stake. Station Casino executives Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta own 81% of the company, with Abu Dhabi-based Flash Entertainment laying claim to the remaining 10%.

If the sale is for all 100%, it’s unclear if White would remain with the company. It’s hard to imagine the longtime UFC figurehead walking away from a brand he built from the ground up, and any buyer would likely want to keep him on for promotional purposes. With that said, the outspoken president has eluded to cutting ties in the event of a transfer of power.

“The day we decide to sell, I probably don’t want to do this anymore,” White told NBC Sports’ Dan Patrick. “Me and Fertitta brothers have been together a long time … we’d probably all be looking to get out.”

The Wanda Group, backed by Wang Jianlin — China’s wealthiest man, worth almost $35 billion, according to Forbes — is the frontrunner, according to Rovell. The conglomerate has ramped up its business in the sports world over the past year, becoming a major sponsorship partner for both FIFA and FIBA and purchasing a 20% stake in La Liga powerhouse Atletico Madrid.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/mattcon...be-roughly-4b-for-100-ownership/#336b3cb3483f

 

[Busty]

As much as I love the UFC the idea of this potential buyout leading to Dana White and Joe Rogan exiting it seems to signal a real change of direction for the promotion.

We shall see.

 

[Fox318]

Crazy to think Shane McMahon wanted to buy the UFC but his dad said no and spent his money on the XFL.

 

[Simply Sami]

Crazy to think Shane McMahon wanted to buy the UFC but his dad said no and spent his money on the XFL.

UFC may have flopped with Vince in charge.

He would never want anything to overshadow his main product.

 

[Aiii]

Crazy to think Shane McMahon wanted to buy the UFC but his dad said no and spent his money on the XFL.

Nah, nothing about that surprises or amazes me. The most accurate thing CM Punk has ever said was that McMahon is a millionaire that should have been a billionaire. It doesn't amaze me that in a long list of bad business choices, he chose not to invest in UFC.

Also, I am glad, because it would have never been as big as it was. Women's MMA would not be a thing, and every main event would be a heavyweight match.