Beverly Hills, CA & Menlo Park, CA – Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc., the global sports and entertainment powerhouse, has officially gone private following the completion of its $25 billion acquisition by Silver Lake, a leading technology-focused private equity firm. The deal, announced on March 24, marks the largest private equity public-to-private transaction in the media and entertainment sector and the most significant of its kind in over a decade.
💰 Shareholders to Receive $27.50 Per Share in Cash
Under the terms of the agreement, Endeavor stockholders will receive $27.50 in cash for each share of Class A common stock they held at the time of closing. This represents a:
- 55% premium to the unaffected share price of $17.72 on October 25, 2023, when Endeavor first announced its strategic alternatives review.
- 39% premium to the company’s 30-day volume-weighted average price (VWAP).
With the acquisition finalized, Endeavor’s stock will cease trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), as the company transitions into a privately held entity.
🎯 WME Group: The Rebranded Talent Powerhouse
Following the transaction, Endeavor’s portfolio of representation businesses will be rebranded as WME Group, named after William Morris Endeavor, its premier talent agency. WME Group will consist of industry-leading entities, including:
- WME Talent Agency: A dominant force in entertainment, sports, and media representation, serving artists, athletes, and brands across multiple verticals, including film, television, music, sports, fashion, and theater.
- 160over90: A global marketing agency specializing in brand partnerships, activations, and cultural experiences.
- IMG Licensing: A worldwide leader in brand licensing, managing programs for top media franchises, events, and talent.
- Pantheon Media Group: An Emmy® Award-winning production powerhouse, delivering content in live events, factual entertainment, documentaries, and sports.
📈 TKO Group Remains Publicly Traded
Despite Endeavor going private, the company retains its controlling ownership stake in TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), the publicly traded sports and entertainment giant.
- TKO includes UFC and WWE, two of the largest global combat sports and entertainment franchises.
- Silver Lake believes the combined value of TKO and Endeavor’s portfolio makes the deal worth $25 billion at the $27.50 per share acquisition price.
💡 Silver Lake’s Strategic Vision and Leadership Endorsements
Egon Durban, Co-CEO and Managing Partner of Silver Lake, praised the leadership team behind Endeavor, highlighting their long-term growth strategy:
“Silver Lake has never sold a share—we’ve only increased our stake, because we remain highly excited about the company’s long-term growth potential. With this investment, Endeavor is now the single largest position in our global portfolio.”
Ari Emanuel, Endeavor’s former CEO, will become Executive Chairman of WME Group, while Patrick Whitesell will launch a new platform in partnership with Silver Lake to invest in and scale sports, media, and entertainment properties.
- Mark Shapiro, now President and Managing Partner of WME Group, emphasized the deal’s growth potential:
“This transaction amplifies our ability to deliver landmark partnerships, career-defining business opportunities, and cultural moments for our clients and partners.”
🔥 Massive Private Equity Backing
The equity financing for the transaction included a mix of new and reinvested capital from Silver Lake and co-investors, including:
- Mubadala Investment Company
- DFO Management, LLC (Michael Dell’s family investment office)
- Lexington Partners
- Goldman Sachs Asset Management
- CPP Investments
- Equity rollovers from key Endeavor executives, including Emanuel, Whitesell, and Shapiro
🚀 Key Takeaway: A Landmark Deal Reshaping Media and Entertainment
Silver Lake’s $25 billion acquisition of Endeavor Group underscores the growing appetite for private equity in the entertainment sector.
- With Endeavor now private, Silver Lake aims to unlock greater value through strategic investments in representation, content production, and live events.
- The formation of WME Group establishes a powerhouse for talent and IP representation, while Endeavor’s stake in TKO Group offers ongoing exposure to sports and entertainment growth.
✅ Bottom Line: This deal marks a transformative chapter for Endeavor, as it transitions into private ownership under Silver Lake, with a focus on expanding its influence across global sports, entertainment, and media industries.
