Jump to content

Endeavor (company)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from WME (talent agency))

Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc.
Formerly
  • William Morris Endeavor (2009–2013)
  • WME-IMG (2013–2017)
Company typePublic
NYSEEDR
IndustryTalent and literary agencies
Predecessors
Founded2009; 15 years ago (2009)
in Beverly Hills, California, United States
Headquarters
Beverly Hills, California
,
United States
Key people
RevenueIncrease US$5.96 billion (2023)
Decrease US$320 million (2023)
Increase US$357 million (2023)
Total assetsIncrease US$21.5 billion (2023)
Total equityIncrease US$4.78 billion (2023)
Number of employees
c. 10,000 (2023)
Subsidiaries
Websiteendeavorco.com
Footnotes / references
[1]

Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. (formerly William Morris Endeavor and WME-IMG) is an American holding company for talent and media agencies with its primary offices in Beverly Hills, California.[2][3] The company was founded in April 2009 after the merger of the William Morris Agency and Endeavor Talent Agency. Endeavor represents artists in film, television, music, theater, digital media, and publishing.[4] It also represents the NFL and NHL.[5] Endeavor is majority owner of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) through TKO Group.[6][7] In collegiate athletics Endeavor-Learfield IMG represents The American, A10, Big 12, Conference USA, Horizon League, MAC, MEAC, OVC, SEC and WCC.

The group additionally owns a 20% stake in film and television production company Fifth Season (formerly Endeavor Content), with the remaining 80% owned by South Korean entertainment and retail company CJ ENM.[8][9] Endeavor is headed by CEO Ari Emanuel and executive chairman Patrick Whitesell.

In April 2024, Silver Lake announced a deal to take Endeavor private, offering $27.50 per share in cash, valuing the company at $13 billion.[10]

History

[edit]

Beginnings

[edit]

The Endeavor Talent Agency launched in 1995.[11] By 2009, it was one of the fastest-growing Hollywood talent agencies, with The New York Times singling out its reputation for "quick thinking, ferocity and barely bridled ambition".[12]

William Morris Endeavor

[edit]

On April 27, 2009, William Morris Agency (WMA) and the Endeavor Talent Agency announced that they were forming William Morris Endeavor, or "WME".[13] Endeavor executives Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell were widely seen as the architects of the merger and quickly became the Co-CEOs of WME.[14] After the official announcement of the merger, nearly 100 WMA employees and former board members were let go. One of those leaving was Jim Wiatt, who came to WMA in 1999 from International Creative Management, where he was vice-chairman. He had joined WMA as president and co-chief executive officers, and had risen to board chairman.[15] After the merger, WME moved its headquarters into the offices of Endeavor at 9601 Wilshire Boulevard in the heart of Beverly Hills.[16]

In 2011, Emanuel was quoted in a Financial Times profile about the company saying, "We built a culture where people are rewarded for taking risks."[17] Emanuel and Whitesell implemented several leadership strategies to boost the productivity of their agents, most notably, the "Farmhouse" training program.[18]

In September 2022, Richard Weitz and Christian Muirhead were named Co-Chairmen of the agency.[19]

Expansion

[edit]

Endeavor grew to include several subsidiary companies and expanded divisions. Fortune named co-CEOs Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell to their 2010 "Businessperson of the Year" list, acknowledging their corporate growth strategies.[20] Emanuel had previously been recognized as a 21st-century "super agent" by both The Wall Street Journal and The Guardian, as well as an Advertising Age "Influencer."[21][22][23] In July 2011, the company and its foundation created Camp Summer Eagle, which provides donations and activities for schoolchildren at Foster Elementary in Compton, California.[24]

Shortly after the merger, WME helped launch the investment group Raine,[25] which aligned the company with properties like Vice Media and Zumba Fitness. In 2010, WME partnered with RED Interactive,[26] a digital advertising agency. Two years later, they formed an alliance with the social media management firm TheAudience,[27] partnering with digital entrepreneur Sean Parker and executing social campaigns for properties like the Seth MacFarlane motion picture Ted and the Coachella Music Festival.[28] 2013 brought a strategic partnership between WME and creative music agency Jingle Punks, which creates, publishes and licenses music. WME is also an investor in the e-commerce platform [OpenSky], which was named one of America's "Most Promising Companies" by Forbes.[29] In 2013, Whitesell and Emanuel were profiled in Fast Company, highlighting the company's digital growth.[30]

On May 2, 2012, WME and Silver Lake Partners, a technology-focused private equity firm based in Silicon Valley, signed an agreement for Silver Lake to acquire a 31.25% minority stake in the agency for $250 million.[31] A new executive committee, consisting of Co-CEOs Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell and Silver Lake Managing Director Egon Durban, was formed to lead the company's growth strategy and investment activities.[32][33] In July 2013, WME acquired a minority stake in the creative agency Droga5. The partnership combines the companies’ advertising and entertainment resources.[34]

WME-IMG

[edit]

On December 18, 2013, WME and Silver Lake announced the acquisition of IMG for $2.4 billion.[35] WME's Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell took over as co-CEOs. On January 21, 2015, it was announced that WME had acquired Global eSports Management (GEM), an international agency representing various esports and professional video game players and personalities.[36] In April 2015, they bought the Professional Bull Riders (PBR).[37] On September 23, 2015, it was announced that WME-IMG would be partnering with Turner Broadcasting to create a televised esports league, the ELeague.[38]

On September 14, 2015, WME-IMG acquired from Donald Trump the Miss Universe Organization, which produces the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA beauty pageants and related content. The organization sells television rights to the pageants in other countries. Financial details were not disclosed.[39] Softbank and Fidelity Investments in early 2016 invested in WME-IMG. The company formed a joint venture in June 2016 for China with Sequoia Capital, Tencent and FountainVest Partners.[40]

On July 9, 2016, Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of Ultimate Fighting Championship, was sold to a group led by WME-IMG, its owner Silver Lake Partners, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, and MSD Capital, for $4.025 billion, the largest-ever acquisition in the sports industry.[41][42] On August 22, 2016, WME acquired the literary agency Rabineau Wachter Sanford & Gillett (RWSG); its co-founders, Sylvie Rabineau and Jill Holwager Gillett, head a division of WME involved in the coordination of screen adaptations of literature.[43][44] WME/IMG purchased in August 2017 a majority stake in Bloom, a film finance and sales company led by Ken Kao and Alex Walton.[45]

Endeavor

[edit]

WME-IMG reorganized in October 2017 with the parent company being renamed from WME-IMG to Endeavor. Ari Emanuel became Endeavor CEO and Patrick Whitesell became Endeavor executive chairman. The general talent agency retained the WME name as the sports agency retained the IMG name.[46] In October 2017, Endeavor Content was formed from the WME's and IMG's film financing and scripted TV sales units, WME's advisory group for film financiers and content producers and Bloom, which will continue to operate autonomously. Graham Taylor and Chris Rice were appointed as co-presidents and additional hires were Negeen Yazdi as senior vice president of film and Joe Hipps as senior vice president of television.[47]

On November 15, 2017, actor Terry Crews said on Good Morning America that Adam Venit, head of WME's motion picture department, had squeezed Crews' genitals with his hand at an industry party in February 2016. WME responded they had suspended Venit following an internal investigation,[48] on November 27, 2017, it was announced Venit would return to work after a month's unpaid leave.[49] On December 4, 2017, lawyers acting on behalf of Terry Crews filed suit against WME and Venit stating "It is now time to hold Venit accountable for his sexual predatory behavior and to hold WME accountable for its conduct in condoning, ratifying, and encouraging Venit's sexual predatory behavior".[50]

Endeavor acquired 160over90, a branding and marketing agency in Philadelphia for about $200 million in January 2018. The CEO of 160over90, John Campanella, said that Endeavor took less than two months to complete the purchase.[51]

Third Coast Content, a faith and family audiences production and publishing company, was founded in February 2018 by veteran film executive Ben Howard as CEO with Endeavor Content as an investor and as its provider of sales and advisory services.[52] In April 2019, Droga5 was acquired by Accenture.[53]

Initial public offering

[edit]

On May 24, 2019, Endeavor filed forms for an initial public offering (IPO) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that would have valued the company at $7.6 billion. The form detailed Endeavor's revenue was $3.61 billion in 2018 with a net income of $100.1 million after adjustments, and potential risks involved of being potentially sued “over alleged long-term neurocognitive impairment arising from concussions”, "collective bargaining to unionize the MMA athletes", and "five related class-action lawsuits filed against it alleging that UFC violated Section 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 by monopolizing the alleged market for elite professional MMA athletes' services".[54][55] Also included in the filing was the statement that subsidiary WME Dragon Holdings LLC, which bought 49 percent of advertising agency Droga5 in 2013, agreed to sell its interest in Droga5 to Accenture Interactive for $233 million.[56]

On September 26, 2019, a day before it planned to go public, Endeavor Group announced that the IPO had been postponed in order to "evaluate the timing for the proposed offering as market conditions develop."[57] Contributing factors were reported to be the under-performance of the recent IPO for Peloton,[58] and an ongoing lawsuit with several former UFC fighters.[59]

On March 30, 2021, Endeavor Group announced a new planned IPO for later in 2021, with Elon Musk and Fawn Weaver nominated to join its board of directors.[60][61][62] On April 28, 2021, Endeavor Group went public on the New York Stock Exchange.[63] Endeavor subsequently used some of the proceeds from the IPO to buy out Zuffa's other shareholders at a value of $1.7 billion, making Zuffa a wholly-owned subsidiary of Endeavor.[7] On July 19, 2021, Ursula Burns joined the board of directors.[64] On September 27, 2021, Endeavor announced that it would acquire OpenBet for $1.2 billion in cash and stock.[65] In March 2022, Musk resigned from the board.[66]

Divestment of Endeavor Content

[edit]

In 2019, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) filed a lawsuit against the four major Hollywood talent agencies, including WME, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA) and ICM Partners, over their usage of packaging deals (under which a talent agency offers a production utilizing its represented writers, directors, and/or actors as a "package" to prospective studios),[67] which the WGA asserted to be an illegal conflict of interest under state and federal law.[68]

As part of agreements which would allow them to resume representing writers, the WGA called for talent agencies to reduce their interest in co-owned production companies, as they considered talent agencies owning their own production companies to be a conflict of interest.[69] In February 2021, Endeavor agreed to a new franchising deal with the WGA, under which it must cease the use of packaging deals, and not hold more than a 20% stake in production companies affiliated with the agency, thus necessitating that it divest at least 80% of Endeavor Content.[70]

On June 8, 2021, Endeavor began to seek a partner for the division in compliance with the agreement, with the whole sales team returning to the company to start the process.[71][72][73] On October 28, 2021, Endeavor started to solicit second-round bids for more than $750 million, with three equity firms and two strategic companies among those in the running.[74] On November 19, 2021, South Korean conglomerate CJ ENM reached a deal to acquire the stake for $775 million. The acquisition primarily covers the company's scripted business, with Endeavor retaining its non-scripted, documentary, and film consulting businesses. The sale is CJ ENM's largest acquisition to-date.[8] The $785 million purchase was completed in January 2022.[75] In September 2022, the company was renamed Fifth Season; the name stems from Eastern medicine, which recognizes the so-called "fifth season" as a celebratory time of harvest in late summer, thus representing the company's focus on global ideas and content.[9] On October 26, 2022, JKN Global Group acquired Miss Universe Organization (MUO) from Endeavor for $14 million.[76]

On March 7, 2023, Endeavor acquired unscripted production company Asylum Entertainment Group.[77] On June 2, 2023, Endeavor acquired literary agency Ross Yoon Agency.[78]

UFC–WWE merger

[edit]

In January 2023, professional wrestling promotion WWE stated it was exploring a potential sale, with Endeavor being among potential suitors.[79] Its founder Vince McMahon had stepped down as chairman and CEO in mid-2022 amidst a misconduct investigation.[80] Endeavor Streaming had been providing backend services for WWE's streaming platform WWE Network since 2019.[79]

On April 2, CNBC reported via sources that a deal between WWE and Endeavor was imminent and could be announced the next day.[81] On April 3, Endeavor and WWE officially announced the deal, under which WWE will merge with UFC parent company Zuffa to form a new publicly-traded company;[82] the name of the new entity was not announced, but it was stated that it will trade under the symbol "TKO". Endeavor will hold a 51% stake in "TKO", with WWE's shareholders having a 49% stake,[6] marking the first time that WWE has not been controlled by the McMahon family.[81] Vince McMahon will serve as executive chairman of the new entity, Emanuel as CEO, and Mark Shapiro as president and chief operating officer. As with Endeavor's ownership of UFC, Emanuel will not take on any creative roles, with current WWE CEO Nick Khan being named president of WWE (in a similar capacity to Dana White's role in UFC).[6][83] Emanuel said that the merger would "bring together two leading pureplay sports and entertainment companies" and provide "significant operating synergies", while McMahon stated that "given the incredible work that Ari and Endeavor have done to grow the UFC brand—nearly doubling its revenue over the past seven years—and the immense success we’ve already had in partnering with their team on a number of ventures, I believe that this is without a doubt the best outcome for our shareholders and other stakeholders." The deal is expected to be completed on September 12, 2023.[6] WWE and the UFC will continue to run as separate divisions of the newly merged company as per statements made by WWE CEO Nick Khan.[84][85] Hours after the sale, law firm Ademi LLP launched an investigation into the sale, looking for "possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law".[86] WWE's stock price additionally decreased following the announcement of the sale.[86] On May 16, it was reported that the new entity would operate under the name TKO Group Holdings.[87] The merger was finalized on September 12, 2023.

TKO acquisitions from Endeavor

[edit]

On October 23, 2024, TKO purchased the event planning and hospitality service On Location, IMG and the Professional Bull Riders from Endeavor for $3.25 billion. The deal is expected to close by early 2025.[88][89]

Holdings

[edit]
International
Hospitality/live events/ticket sales
Talent agencies
  • WME – talent agency representing entertainers, athletes, and fashion designers
  • Dixon Talent – talent agency representing late-night and other television (TV) hosts
  • The Wall Group – talent agency representing stylists and designers
  • Global eSports Management – talent agency representing professional video game players and personalities
  • Rabineau Wachter Sanford & Gillett – literary agency
  • Ross Yoon Agency – literary agency
Branding/promotions/advertising
  • 160 over 90, (acquired in January 2018) – a company specializing in PR and advertising for entertainment and experiential events
  • Wonderful Union (acquired in August 2018)[92] – a company that develops and executes promotions, contests, brand sponsorships and advertisements
  • Learfield – a collegiate sports marketing company
Movies
  • Fifth Season (known as Endeavor Content from October 2017 – September 2022) – a company specializing in film financing and scripted TV sales
  • Bloom (acquired a majority stake in August 2017) – a film finance and sales company[47]
Broadcasting/publications
  • Endeavor Streaming – a digital video technology company
  • Frieze – a contemporary art magazine
  • Asylum Entertainment Group (acquired majority stake in March 2023) – an unscripted TV production company
    • 72 Steps Media
    • Audity
    • Big City TV
    • BreakLight Pictures
    • Clovis Entertainment
    • Collins Avenue Entertainment
    • Dare Entertainment
    • Done and Dusted
    • Ladywell Films
    • Moon&Back Media
    • Soho Studios Entertainment
    • Texas Crew Productions
    • The Content Group
  • Third Coast Content (made investment in February 2018)[52] – a film, television and publishing company
Sports/camping

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. 2023 Annual Report (Form 10-K)". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. February 28, 2024. pp. 8, F-4, F-5. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  2. ^ "WME IMG Holdings LLC – Company Profile and News". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  3. ^ Sebastian, Dave (September 16, 2019). "Endeavor Group Could Raise $712 Million in IPO". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  4. ^ Garrahan, Matthew (December 6, 2011). "Rewriting the Hollywood script". Financial Times. Archived from the original on January 10, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  5. ^ "What Talent-Agency Merger Could Mean for Brands". Ad Age. April 28, 2009. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d Szalai, Georg; Vlessing, Etan (April 3, 2023). "Endeavor's UFC, WWE to Merge; Ari Emanuel to Serve as CEO, Vince McMahon as Executive Chair". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 3, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Damon Martin (March 31, 2021). "Endeavor closes deal for 100 percent controlling interest over UFC ahead of planned IPO, Elon Musk joins board of directors". MMA Fighting. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  8. ^ a b Hayes, Dade (November 19, 2021). "Endeavor Clinches $775M Deal With CJ For 80% Stake In Scripted Content Unit". Deadline. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Goldberg, Lesley (September 7, 2022). "Endeavor Content Rebrands as Fifth Season". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 8, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  10. ^ "Talent agency Endeavor to go private in $13bn deal with Silver Lake". www.ft.com. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  11. ^ Galloway, Stephen (March 5, 2013). "Jeff Berg Speaks: Plans for New Agency, What Really Happened at ICM (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  12. ^ Cieply, Michael (July 27, 2008). "Agents Replaying a Hollywood Drama". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 1, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  13. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (April 27, 2009). "WMA, Endeavor approve merger". Variety. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  14. ^ "It's A Takeover, Not A Merger". LA Weekly. May 28, 2009. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2009.
  15. ^ Michael Cieply (December 26, 2009). "Layoffs in the William Morris-Endeavor Merger". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  16. ^ Finke, Nikki (October 9, 2009). "WME Will Stay In Endeavor Headquarters Instead Of Moving To New Morris Building". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 4, 2014. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  17. ^ Garrahan, Matthew (December 6, 2011). "Rewriting the Hollywood script". Financial Times. Archived from the original on April 3, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  18. ^ Lashinsky, Adam (May 23, 2013). "Hi, It's Ari @#$%ing Emanuel, and I plan to shake up Hollywood". Fortune. Archived from the original on June 8, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  19. ^ Earl, William (September 8, 2022). "WME Promotes Christian Muirhead and Richard Weitz to Co-Chairmen". Variety. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  20. ^ P.N. (November 19, 2010). "Businessperson of the Year". Fortune. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  21. ^ Sabbagh, Dan (March 16, 2011). "Natalie Portman sparks Hollywood battle". The Guardian. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  22. ^ Hampp, Andrew (January 3, 2011). "Influencer: Ari Emanuel, William Morris Endeavor Agency". Advertising Age. Archived from the original on May 16, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  23. ^ Karmin, Craig (January 27, 2012). "How a Parking Garage Stymied Hollywood's Super Agent". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on May 11, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  24. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (July 18, 2011). "Campers get star treatment from WME". Archived from the original on April 14, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  25. ^ Lattman, Peter (September 19, 2010). "Ex-Bankers Start Fund to Invest in Media". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 26, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2011.
  26. ^ "RED Interactive Agency". Archived from the original on March 1, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2011.
  27. ^ Empson, Rip (July 26, 2012). "TheAudience: A Stealthy, Celeb-Driven Startup Co-founded By Sean Parker, Ari Emanuel & Oliver Luckett". Tech Crunch. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
  28. ^ Barnes, Brooks (November 10, 2012). "A-Listers, Meet Your Online Megaphone". New York Times. Archived from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  29. ^ "America's Most Promising Companies". Forbes. Archived from the original on February 14, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  30. ^ Laporte, Nicole (March 18, 2013). "WME's Agent Provocateurs Ari Emanuel And Patrick Whitesell". Fast Company. Archived from the original on June 1, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  31. ^ "William Morris Endeavor Entertainment and Silver Lake Announce Strategic Partnership" (Press release). PR Newswire. Archived from the original on May 14, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  32. ^ Chon, Gina (May 2, 2012). "Silver Lake Buys Stake in WME Agency". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on May 6, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  33. ^ "William Morris Endeavor Entertainment and Silver Lake Announce Strategic Partnership". PR Newswire. May 2, 2012. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  34. ^ Beltrone, Gabriel (December 10, 2012). "Droga's Delicious World". AdWeek.[permanent dead link]
  35. ^ Patten, Dominic (May 7, 2014). "UPDATE: WME Brass Welcome IMG Staffers As Acquisition Deal Closes". Archived from the original on April 26, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  36. ^ Zumberge, Marianne (January 21, 2015). "WME–IMG Acquires Global eSports Management Gaming Agency". Variety. Archived from the original on February 13, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  37. ^ "WME | IMG acquires Professional Bull Riders, INC". Professional Bull Riders. Archived from the original on June 5, 2019. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  38. ^ Spangler, Todd (September 23, 2015). "Turner, WME/IMG Form E-Sports League, With TBS to Air Live Events". Variety. Archived from the original on December 12, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  39. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (September 14, 2015). "WME/IMG Acquires Miss Universe Organization From Donald Trump". Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  40. ^ Belloni, Matthew (June 9, 2016). "WME-IMG Reveals New China Venture With Sequoia Capital and Tencent". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 3, 2019. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  41. ^ "U.F.C. Sells Itself for $4 Billion". The New York Times. July 11, 2016. Archived from the original on July 13, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  42. ^ "Dana White on $4 billion UFC sale: 'Sport is going to the next level'". ESPN.com. ESPN. July 11, 2016. Archived from the original on July 12, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  43. ^ "WME Acquires Literary Agency RWSG". Variety. August 22, 2016. Archived from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
  44. ^ "Why Indie Agency RWSG Sold to WME: "It Felt Like a Crossroads"". The Hollywood Reporter. August 25, 2016. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
  45. ^ McNary, Dave (August 30, 2017). "WME-IMG Buys Majority Stake in Film Sales-Finance Company Bloom". Variety. Archived from the original on August 3, 2019. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  46. ^ a b "WME-IMG Renames Parent Company as Endeavor". Hollywood Reporter. October 9, 2017. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  47. ^ a b Littleton, Cynthia (October 16, 2017). "WME, IMG Combine Film and TV Sales Operations Under Endeavor Content Banner". Variety. Archived from the original on August 3, 2019. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  48. ^ Kindelan, Katie; Ghebremedhin, Sabina (November 15, 2017). "Terry Crews names alleged sexual assaulter: 'I will not be shamed'". ABC News. ABC. Archived from the original on November 15, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
  49. ^ "What About Your Friends? Why Hollywood's Abandonment Of Terry Crews Is Unacceptable". BET. Archived from the original on December 4, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  50. ^ Patten, Dominic (December 6, 2017). "Terry Crews Sues WME & "Rabid Dog" Adam Venit For Sexual Assault". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  51. ^ Cineas, Fabiola (January 15, 2018). "How Philly's 160over90 Got Acquired by a Global Marketing Firm in Less Than 60 Days". Philly Mag. Retrieved July 13, 2024.}
  52. ^ a b Kroll, Justin (February 27, 2018). "Ben Howard to Head New Production Company Third Coast Content". Variety. Archived from the original on August 13, 2019. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  53. ^ Maheshwari, Sapna (April 3, 2019). "Accenture Is Buying Droga5, an Ad Agency, Making a Bet on Creativity". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 5, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  54. ^ Youngs, Jose (May 23, 2019). "UFC parent company Endeavor files papers to go public". MMA Fighting. Archived from the original on May 24, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
  55. ^ Watson, R. T. (May 23, 2019). "Endeavor Group, Owner of UFC and Miss Universe Pageant, Files for IPO". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on October 4, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
  56. ^ Johnson, Bradley (May 27, 2019). "Droga5's implied price tag? $475 Million: Endeavor's IPO filing reveals clues about what Accenture paid". Advertising Age. 90 (11): 1.
  57. ^ "Endeavor Postpones Its IPO". The Hollywood Reporter. September 26, 2019. Archived from the original on September 27, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2019..
  58. ^ Farrell, Maureen (September 26, 2019). "Endeavor Pulls IPO After Peloton's Poor Debut". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on September 27, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  59. ^ Martin, Damon (September 26, 2019). "UFC owners at Endeavor bail on initial public offering after pulling stock set for Friday release". MMA Fighting. Archived from the original on September 27, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  60. ^ "Form S-1/A Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc". SEC Report. United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  61. ^ Goldsmith, Dade Hayes,Jill; Hayes, Dade; Goldsmith, Jill (March 31, 2021). "Endeavor Resumes Quest For IPO After 18-Month Break". Deadline. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  62. ^ Kolodny, Alex Sherman,Lora (April 1, 2021). "Elon Musk tapped to join board of Endeavor Group, owner of UFC and Miss Universe contest". CNBC. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  63. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (April 29, 2021). "Endeavor Debuts on NYSE, Testing Investors' Appetite for Content-Focused Growth Stock". Variety. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  64. ^ Hayes, Dade (July 19, 2021). "Ursula Burns, Former CEO Of Xerox And Veon, Joins Endeavor Board". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 26, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  65. ^ Spangler, Todd (September 27, 2021). "Endeavor to Buy OpenBet Sports-Gambling Company for $1.2 Billion". Variety. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  66. ^ Weprin, Alex (March 16, 2022). "Elon Musk to Resign From Endeavor Board of Directors". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  67. ^ Handel, Jonathan (April 3, 2019). "Television Packaging Deals: All the Confusing Questions Answered". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  68. ^ Littleton, Cynthia; Donnelly, Matt (April 17, 2019). "GA Sues Talent Agencies in Battle Against Packaging Fees". Variety. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  69. ^ Hayden, Erik (September 20, 2020). "Writers Guild Asks CAA, WME to Disclose Ownership Structure to Make a Deal". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  70. ^ Littleton, Christina (February 5, 2021). "WME Reaches Deal With WGA on Packaging and Endeavor Content Divestment". Variety. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  71. ^ Gonzalez, Umberto; Fuster, Jeremy (June 8, 2021). "Endeavor Seeks 80% Partner for Film/TV Studio Endeavor Content to Meet Writers Guild Deal Demands". The Wrap. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  72. ^ Andrevaa, Nelie; Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 8, 2021). "Endeavor Content's Film Sales Team To Return To WME In Coming Months As Indie Studio Prepares To Sell Majority Stake". Deadline. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  73. ^ Hayes, Dade (September 16, 2021). "Endeavor Content Sale Talks Begin, Though Endeavor President Mark Shapiro Admits "We Don't Want To See It Go"". Deadline. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  74. ^ Sherman, Alex (October 28, 2021). "Endeavor Content, studio behind 'Killing Eve' and 'Nine Perfect Strangers,' solicits bids for more than $750 million". CNBC. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  75. ^ Hayes, Dade (January 19, 2022). "Endeavor's $785M Sale Of Content Unit To Korea's CJ ENM Officially Closes". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  76. ^ "JKN acquires Miss Universe Organization". Bangkok Post. October 26, 2022. Archived from the original on April 3, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  77. ^ White, Peter (March 7, 2023). "Endeavor Acquires Majority Stake In Asylum Entertainment Group As Founder Steve Michaels Plans Major Non-Scripted M&A Drive". Deadline. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  78. ^ Hayden, Erik (June 2, 2023). "WME Buys D.C. Literary Agency Ross Yoon, Bringing Over Authors and Journalists". The Hollywood Reporter.
  79. ^ a b Sherman, Alex (January 7, 2023). "Vince McMahon is back at WWE to ensure a smooth sale process. Here's who might want to buy it". CNBC. Archived from the original on January 9, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  80. ^ "Vince Mcmahon Steps Back As Wwe Ceo & Chairman Of The Board, Stephanie Mcmahon Returns To Company". PWInsider.com. June 17, 2022. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  81. ^ a b Sherman, Alex (April 2, 2023). "WWE near deal to be sold to UFC parent Endeavor, sources say". CNBC. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  82. ^ "SEC-Show". otp.tools.investis.com. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  83. ^ "Vince McMahon: I will remain involved in WWE creative at a 'higher level'". Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online. April 3, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  84. ^ Miller, Nick (September 13, 2023). "Nick Khan Explains How WWE & UFC Decisions Will Be Made Under TKO Umbrella". Wrestling Inc.
  85. ^ "Nick Khan And Triple H Discuss WWE – Endeavor". PWMania. May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  86. ^ a b Bixenspan, David (April 4, 2023). "Law Firm Announces It's Investigating WWE Over Endeavor Sale". Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  87. ^ Sherman, Alex and Calia, Mike (May 16, 2023). "The combined WWE and UFC will be called TKO Group". CNBC. Retrieved May 17, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  88. ^ "TKO Group to acquire IMG, Professional Bull Riders and On Location from Endeavor for $3.25 billion". CNBC. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  89. ^ https://www.si.com/fannation/rodeo/news/professional-bull-riders-changes-ownership-in-billion-equity-deal
  90. ^ "Endeavor buys sports events company for $660 million as agencies diversify". Los Angeles Times. January 2, 2020. Archived from the original on January 31, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  91. ^ Pogrebin, Robin (July 13, 2023). "Frieze Art Fair Acquires Armory Show and Expo Chicago". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  92. ^ "Wonderful Union". Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2021.

Further reading

[edit]