M&A Deal Summary

Endeavor Acquires World Wrestling Entertainment

On April 3, 2023, Endeavor acquired media company World Wrestling Entertainment for 9.3B USD

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Endeavor’s 6th transaction in the Media sector.
  • This is Endeavor’s largest (disclosed) transaction.
  • This is Endeavor’s 10th transaction in the United States.
  • This is Endeavor’s 1st transaction in Connecticut.

M&A Deal Summary
Date 2023-04-03
Target World Wrestling Entertainment
Sector Media
Buyer(s) Endeavor
Deal Type Merger
Deal Value 9.3B USD
Advisor(s) The Raine Group LLC
J.P. Morgan Securities (Financial)
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison (Legal)

Target

World Wrestling Entertainment

Stamford, Connecticut, United States
website
World Wrestling Entertainment is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 150 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 650 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Munich and Tokyo. World Wrestling Entertainment was founded in 1980 and is based in Stamford, Connecticut.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

Endeavor

Beverly Hills, California, United States

website

Category Company
Founded 1898
Sector Media
Employees10,000
Revenue 6.0B USD (2023)
DESCRIPTION

Endeavor is a global sports and entertainment company, home to the world’s most dynamic and engaging storytellers, brands, live events, and experiences. Endeavor is comprised of industry leaders including entertainment agency WME; sports, fashion, events, and media company IMG; and premier mixed martial arts organization UFC. The Endeavor network specializes in talent representation; marketing and licensing; content development, distribution, and sales; event management; and a number of direct-to-consumer offerings. Endeavor was incorporated in 1898 and is based in Beverly Hills, California.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 12 of 12
Sector (Media) 6 of 6
Type (Merger) 1 of 1
State (Connecticut) 1 of 1
Country (United States) 10 of 10
Year (2023) 1 of 1
Size (of disclosed) 1 of 6
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-11-18 Endeavor Content

Beverly Hills, California, United States

Endeavor Content launched in 2017 as a platform and talent agency-agnostic production, advisory, sales, and distribution studio that puts artists, creators, and producers first. Endeavor Content’s mission later expanded to become a more inclusive studio that champions and supports content and creators who engage diverse audiences. Since its inception, Endeavor Content has owned, financed, and/or sold more than 125 films and television series that have garnered more than 69 Emmy wins and nominations and 59 Academy Award wins and nominations. Major hits include “In the Heights” and “Just Mercy” for Warner Brothers, “Book Club” for Paramount Pictures, “Blue Miracle” for Netflix, and “Joe Bell” with Roadside Attractions. The studio has also made its mark internationally, handling global distribution for hit series including “Killing Eve,” “The Night Manager,” “Normal People,” and “Nine Perfect Strangers.”

Sell $850M
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2023-04-25 IMG Academy

Bradenton, Florida, United States

IMG Academy supports the entire student-athlete development journey across its on-campus and online student-athlete education experiences. The Company provides a sports-focused boarding school, sports camps, online coaching, and college recruiting, and is known for its strong outcomes from the Ivy League to professional leagues. IMG Academy was formed in 1978 and is based in Bradenton, Florida.

Sell $1.3B
Mergr

Product

Company

Legal