UFC Adds Celebrity Investors

Ultimate Fighting Championship, acquired in July by WME IMG, has added a clutch of new celebrity investors to its ownership group.  

Photo: Associated Press

Among the new owners from the music world are The Weeknd, Adam Levine, Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Calvin Harris, and LL Cool J. Other entertainment heavyweights to join in include Ben Affleck, Cam Newton, Conan O’Brien, Guy Fieri, Jimmy Kimmel, Michael Bay, Serena and Venus Williams, Sylvester Stallone, and Tom Brady.

The new investors join WME IMG and Silver Lake Partners, KKR, MSD Capital and MSD Partners with a piece of UFC, which boasts more than 500 athletes under contract and stages about 40 events per year broadcast in more than 150 countries.

WME IMG acquired it in July for an estimated $4 billion.

“Expanding our ownership group to include this caliber of talent and entrepreneurs is a strong indicator of UFC’s fast-growing global presence,” UFC President Dana White said. “Our new investors bring an incredible depth of knowledge and experience to help us continue to elevate this brand and capitalize on its entertainment and sports crossover appeal.”