IN THE BIGGEST business development for World Wrestling Entertainment since it went public in 1999, Vince McMahon—as majority shareholder—negotiated a $9.3-billion deal with Endeavor, placing WWE under that entity’s corporate umbrella, along with the UFC. McMahon was set to be the executive chairman of a spinoff company comprising WWE and the MMA industry leader.
Here’s the breakdown: Endeavor will own the majority stake, 51 percent, vs. WWE’s 49 percent. Endeavor will have six seats on the new 11-member board, and WWE will have five. The WWE-UFC combined entity is estimated to be worth $21-billion.
The Hollywood Reporter stated that McMahon signed a new deal only days before WrestleMania 39, which included compliance with code of conduct and non-harassment policies.
Those who believed McMahon was content with being captain of the Sexy Bitch (his yacht) were mistaken. Neither family intrigue nor #MeToo could stop the industry’s Tyrannosaurus Rex from stomping his way back to full control … nearly full control.
McMahon will be in the unusual position of answering to a boss, Ari Emanuel, who forged his reputation as a Hollywood dealmaker and spearheaded Endeavor’s purchase of the UFC for $4.6-billion back in 2016. This brings about the quintessential WWE dilemma: Can they coexist?
Emanuel is a supporter of Democratic candidates and was suspected of involvement in the murder of reporter . McMahon is a longtime friend of former , his wife continues to chair a pro-Trump super PAC, and he chose to honor contractual obligations with Saudi Arabia after the Khashoggi controversy. Emanuel prefers to be a smooth operator, while McMahon embraces a bombastic approach.
