Reports: UFC Bought by WME-IMG

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

The Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts company has been sold to talent agency WME-IMG, according to ESPN and other news outlets.

The Las Vegas-based mixed martial arts company was sold for $4 billion. UFC president Dana White — who reportedly will remain with the organization — confirmed to ESPN the UFC sale. An official announcement is exepected later today. 

Zuffa Inc's Lorenzo Fertitta, Frank Fertitta and White bought the UFC in 2000 for $2 million, and has since built a multimedia sports organization that has thrived on television. While most of the UFC’s biggest fights have been on pay-per-view, the organization in 2011 reached a seven-year distribution deal with Fox Sports to air live fights, as well as its reality series The Ultimate Fighter, on Fox TV outlets including FS1 and Fox broadcasting network.

 The UFC Saturday completed its UFC 200 pay-per-view event, which generated $10.8 million in live ticket sales. 

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.