A few months ago, William Morris Endeavor-International Management Group (WME-IMG) purchased the UFC from the Fertitta brothers for $4 billion. This record-setting acquisition proves that the new owners believe there's huge potential for growth in the world of Mixed Martial Arts.
"I think it's a mainstream sport now," said Ari Emmanuel, co-chief executive of WME-IMG.
The first big move that the new owners of UFC have made since the deal went down in July was to invite a team of a-list investors to help promote the UFC brand. WME-IMG invited celebrities—people who were known to be big fans of the UFC, mostly clients of WME-IMG—to make a small investment of at least $250,000 in the organization.
(Mike Hewitt / Getty Images)
This investment ties a lot of influential personalities to the brand, giving them incentive to promote the UFC in their areas of influence. It's truly a brilliant business move for the new owners.
So far, most celebrities have been silent about their investment. The only one who has spoken publicly thus far is Conan O'Brien, a late-night TV talk show host.
"After the UFC deal was announced, WME – William Morris Endeavor – gave some of their clients an opportunity to purchase a small ownership stake in the UFC. I'm excited to announce that I was one of those clients," said O'Brien.
(Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images for TBS)
Here's the full list of celebrities, 23 in all, who now own a stake in the organization:
– Serena + Venus Williams
– Conan O'Brien
– Li Na
– Flea
– Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye
(Elsa/Getty Images)
The only two people on the list who are not WME-IMG clients are Tom Brady and Robert Kraft. Brady's wife is a client of the organization, and Robert Kraft helped purchase it back in July.
