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WWE is selling to Endeavor, CNBC has reported. This would have WWE and UFC under the same umbrella.

The report states that Endeavor would own 51 percent of the company, giving them a majority share, while WWE shareholders would get 49 percent as they start a new publicly traded company.

Fightful has reached out to WWE officially, and haven't heard back, but we've spoken with tons of talent and staff. Thus far, they haven't been briefed, but many were told that the sales process was ongoing and moving along well. There was buzz this week among several in WWE that a deal was being finalized with a Non-Saudi buyer.

WWE had told Fightful that they'd be hosting likely suitors in Los Angeles for WrestleMania, but we've learned the deal was in motion well ahead of that. It was also in motion when Vince McMahon nailed down a two-year employment contract at WWE. When Endeavor acquired UFC in 2016, they looked to retain Dana White in a head role, although he had many more years leading the charge ahead of him than Vince McMahon does. Those close to McMahon claim he was adamant to them that he was returning to oversee either a sale, rights fees negotiations, or possibly even both. WWE creative claims they have not interacted with Vince McMahon since his departure last Summer, or since he forced his way back into the company in December. However, several talent have had concerns he's getting more involved. McMahon was backstage at both Smackdown and WrestleMania this week, giving input. Those we spoke to with knowledge of the situation say that Vince McMahon would have had protections to either keep him around in some capacity, or have a healthy severance clause in the event he were quickly canned.

Fightful spoke to employees from several potential suitors who said that Vince McMahon wanting to remain involved would be a major sticking point and hurdle for a variety of reasons. Among those included the new post-McMahon regime showing that from a creative and business standpoint, they were more than competent in leading the charge.

As of Sunday, plans called for Vince McMahon to remain with WWE as executive chairman, Nick Khan to remain as president of the wrestling side of things, and Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro to get involved. Thus far, we haven't heard an update regarding the creative aspects and how Triple H would remain involved. However, we did speak with Endeavor sources who indicated a trust in what they've seen out of him, and a general respect for the work Stephanie McMahon did before leaving.

Endeavor recently acquired Asylum Entertainment Group, a non-scripted production company. WWE has also had numerous talent-driven non-scripted shows. In addition, Endeavor owns the UFC, which has featured the likes of Brock Lesnar, Shayna Baszler, Ronda Rousey, Matt Riddle and others on the WWE roster. One source within Endeavor that we immediately spoke to believe that if an acquisition were to take place, it would provide more mainstream opportunities, and opportunities in general for WWE talent, without fear of losing them to outside projects, as Endeavor is in a healthy position to help provide those opportunities and projects.

Another source in Endeavor was confident that a sale would lead to additional opportunities for talent, with the source pointing out that UFC fighters are allowed to have exclusive content pages such as Onlyfans and Brand Army for additional income. However, an agent that has worked with both UFC and WWE talent was quick to point out that UFC has let top fighters walk over paying them, passing on dream fights, in addition to repeatedly taking steps to eliminate outside advertisements in-cage for fighters. It should be noted that UFC arranges their own outfitting sponsors, though the money varies based on what a fighter could command themselves.

The sale in general has been a major talking point backstage at WrestleMania night two, but talent truly aren't sure what's going on. Nobody from the bottom of the card to the top of the card was given any true indication who a potential buyer would be. Several talent contacted us to say they were ecstatic that it didn't end up sold to a Saudi Arabia led group. We were told that the relationship between WWE and Saudi Arabia was set to continue.

We've been told that we could see some Endeavor-related guests in attendance as soon as tonight's WrestleMania night 2.

Comments

David Swed

Did u ask about the future of pay per views?

Dylan Stewart

This is very insightful, thank you!

Wulf

This is great reporting SRS! Will be an interesting future for the company, hopefully not a lot of changes.

John Horton

The news about Vince is concerning, but at least the Saudi's didn't win the bidding war.

slick

Endeavor was the worst thing to happen to the UFC product after they bought them. Extremely cheap management and I bet they let vince do whatever he wants.

Anonymous

I have a feeling they'll follow the UFC model. If they go under the ESPN/ABC umbrella it would be great to see the return of an occasional SNME (to help sell the big 4 PPV).

Anonymous

Thanks for the report!

Troy A Palek

I don't disagree but not paying a Jon Jones legend type $10 million for one fight is different then paying Roman, or whoever, $5 million for 30 appearances (or whatever the # is). I could see it leading to less one off legend matches but that may not be a bad thing.

Matthew McMillen

At least be thankful that WWE wasn’t sold to the Saudis. That would have been much much worse.

Peter

Crazy

Joe Clark

Depends on if the deal with Peacock is more lucrative. There's still time left on that deal anyway so it doesn't seem like anything will be changing in the near future.

Peter

WWE wrestlers are already going to be some of their highest paid independent contractors. Tough pill to think about if you're under the UFC brand as a fighter.

Matthew Brownlee

Vince makin himself involved is what it is, but as long as he just stays chairman and that's it, that's fine. Vince giving some input isn't really the wrist idea. If he is well rested, and not all over the place focused on maybe one thing or just be giving advice, I don't see the biggest harm in it... At least it's not Saudi so it's fine

Anonymous

Both deals are for 5yrs. UFC’s is for $750mil while WWE’s is for $1B. Would be interesting to see what the value would be after the sale. Hard to see Endeavor turning down $1B+ to have NBCU run the PLEs

Matt Hennessy

So it seems like Endevour are happy with how things are being run. To me that suggests they will want to keep Triple H as head of creative & we could see Stephanie return. With Vince reportedly telling people close to him he was only back for a sale & him being aware that him going back to creative would be bad for morale tells me Vince days as leading creative are hopefully done. So when you think about it If Vince was looking to have a role in the company post sale once it ain’t creative this really is a best case scenario & it’s good Saudi didn’t buy it

Michael Ryan

So WWE is only selling 51%?????? How much?

Jack Rasberry

I mean, wrestling fans are there for the wrestlers more than the wrestling. UFC fans are there more for the fighting than the fighters

Anonymous

To me, this actually makes sense on several levels. It would seem Endeavor is basically being used to buy Vince out, why I am definitely all for. He may stay on as Chair, but it removes actual final say as far as controlling interest goes. It also gives WWE a built in grooming grounds for future stars. I like it. Much better than Disney, Saudi, or Vince. It seems all this time that Sean has said he thinks it's Endeavor with the most interest, he was right.

Terps

Yes, in other words, a majority voting interest. That's all they need to sell.