The UFC sold for $4 billion over the summer to a group of investors from the WME – IMG talent agency. As a part of the acquisition of the company, some of the big names they represent are also getting a cut.
ESPN’s Darren Rovell has a list featuring some of the celebs.
In buying the UFC, WME-IMG let celebrities buy small shares with a minimum investment of $250,000. Here's the list pic.twitter.com/3whha8eOPe
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) September 30, 2016
The mixed martial arts leader said today that its owners now include Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, Adam Levine, Anthony Kiedis, Ben Affleck, Calvin Harris, Cam Newton, Conan O’Brien, Flea, Guy Fieri, Jimmy Kimmel, Li Na, LL Cool J, Maria Sharapova, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Bay, Rob Dyrdek, Robert Kraft, Serena Williams, Sylvester Stallone, Tom Brady, Trey Parker, Tyler Perry, and Venus Williams.
Newton, Brady and Williams are the big notable athletes, Affleck, Wahlberg, Perry and Stallone are the notable hollywood stars and ‘The Weeknd’, Calvin Harris and Adam Levine lead the group of music artists.
In a statement released by the company, UFC president Dana White said the following, courtesy of the Wall Street Journal.
“Expanding our ownership group to include this caliber of talent and entrepreneurs is a strong indicator of UFC’s fast-growing global presence. Our new investors bring an incredible depth of knowledge and experience to help us continue to elevate this brand and capitalize on its entertainment and sports crossover appeal.”
The Wall Street Journal also notes that these celebrites were selected as investors because “they would always ask for tickets,” according to WME-IMG co-CEO Ari Emanuel, who solicited the investments.
With such star power, White is correct. They will have a huge chance to garner some crossover fame whether be in Hollywood or even in the sports world.
