I’m not going anywhere, says UFC president Dana White as ownership buyout looms
WME/IMG announces Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and the Government of Singapore Investment Fund will join primary stakeholder Silver Lake Partners
UFC president Dana White said he was “not going anywhere” following reports last week that Beverly Hills talent agency WME/IMG had raised US$1.1 billion from two international investors to buy out some minority partners.
WME/IMG announced last week that Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and the Government of Singapore Investment Fund will join WME/IMG primary stakeholder Silver Lake Partners as strategic partners, stirring some speculation that UFC president White might leave.
In a letter to their shareholders, Silver Lake Partners reported WME/IMG, headed by Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell, who bought the UFC in July 2016 for US$4 billion, will use the US$1.1 billion to buy out some minority partners, with he transaction set to close this month.
“I’m not going anywhere, brother,” White told the Los Angeles Times. “Not only am I not going anywhere, I’m actually making moves in the office and doing [stuff] and changing things for the way I really want it. I’m burrowing myself in like a … tick.”
Emanuel entered the UFC business originally by helping former chairman Lorenzo Fertitta land a television network deal with Fox.
Under WME/IMG ownership, the UFC entered into a first-ever cross-promotion with another company by agreeing to let Showtime televise the August 26 pay-per-view boxing match between UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor and unbeaten boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Current light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones has been among those contending Emanuel is now the true “boss” of the UFC, a swipe at White’s pride in a relationship that has been watched closely since the president pocketed US$400 million from last year’s sale and could conceivably leave at any time for another pursuit.
Knockout price: MMA giant UFC sold to WME-IMG group for US$4 billion, says president Dana White
“Ari and I are partners. We’re getting involved in more [stuff]. We’re not going to spend a lot of money and not change things,” White said.
“I’m making a lot of changes in this new building for things I want changed.”
