Endeavor completes WWE acquisition and will combine with UFC to form martial arts giant The Dish

WWE, which has been eyeing a possible sale for the past several months, is currently being acquired by UFC parent company Endeavor Group Holdings.

News circulated Sunday that a deal was imminent, and Deadline sources confirmed it. But the deal partners listed had no official comment. CNBC had the first report on the deal crossing the finish line. A formal announcement of the deal is expected on Monday.

Led by Ari Emanuel, Endeavor has long been at the forefront of WWE’s takeover. There are plans to combine the wrestling circuit with UFC’s mixed martial arts into a new, separate martial arts giant.

WWE continues to be a bug for TV ratings and huge streaming exposure, with news about Team Endeavor coming the same weekend as the 39th edition of Wrestlemania, the annual extravaganza that takes place in LA this year. NBCUniversal’s Peacock acquired WWE’s former standalone streaming service in 2021, adding pay-per-view events and other programming to its premium subscription tier. NBCU’s USA Network also airs WWE’s weekly showcase Rawwith Fox broadcast knock off.

With these major rights deals up for renewal, there has been speculation for months that rights holders could form a broader relationship with WWE. The company engaged Raine Group earlier this year to study strategic alternatives.

Vince McMahon owns approximately 40% of WWE and has 80% voting rights in his stock. The manager’s reputation at the company he took over from his father four decades ago was suddenly called into question last year after reports emerged of multiple payments to women over allegations of sexual harassment. He stepped down as CEO for several months before returning to the company as chairman in January. McMahon paid the company $17.4 million in connection with those settlements, according to an SEC filing last month.

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