Connecting the live music industry
WME Group launches as Endeavor completes Silver Lake acquisition
March24
Endeavor Group Holdings has officially completed its acquisition by Silver Lake, marking a major sh
Endeavor Group Holdings has officially completed its acquisition by Silver Lake, marking a major shift in the sports and entertainment industry.
Silver Lake, a global leader in technology investing, led the transaction in partnership with Endeavor’s management team and other investors.
As part of the deal, Silver Lake and its co-investors acquired all outstanding shares of Endeavor they did not already own, with stockholders receiving $27.50 per share in cash. This price reflects a 55% premium over the company’s unaffected share price of $17.72 as of October 25, 2023.
With the completion of this privatization, Endeavor’s Class A common stock has ceased trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
In a significant transformation, Endeavor’s portfolio of representation businesses has been rebranded as WME Group.
This newly named entity will focus on representing talent, intellectual property, and brands across entertainment, sports, and media. WME Group comprises:
WME: A premier talent agency with over 125 years of experience, representing artists, athletes, and brands across various industries, including film, music, sports, fashion, and digital media.
160over90: An award-winning global marketing agency specializing in brand partnerships, activations, and cultural engagements.
IMG Licensing: A global leader in brand licensing, helping renowned brands, franchises, and events maximize their intellectual property potential.
Pantheon Media Group: An Emmy® Award-winning production powerhouse delivering premium content across live events, factual entertainment, documentaries, and sports programming.
Endeavor will continue to hold a controlling stake in TKO Group Holdings, which includes powerhouse entities such as UFC and WWE.
Silver Lake estimates that incorporating all of TKO’s value into Endeavor results in a total enterprise valuation of $25 billion. The acquisition represents the largest private equity-backed public-to-private transaction in over a decade and the most significant in the media and entertainment sector.
Mark Shapiro (pictured), now President and Managing Partner, WME Group, said: “Our ability to deliver landmark partnerships, career-defining business opportunities, and enduring cultural moments is amplified by this transaction and the formation of WME Group. The Silver Lake team has proven time and again that they are all-in on representation and content, and our clients, partners, and employees will thrive under our new structure.”
Ariel Emanuel, now Executive Chairman of WME Group, said: “I am grateful to Egon and the team at Silver Lake for the trust they have placed in me as a founder and entrepreneur. Together, we have created and enhanced a foundation unlike any other to accelerate value creation for clients and partners across WME Group and TKO, which I am excited to continue to build and grow.”
With VIP-Booking.com, you can search for anyone in the live music industry — try it yourself!
Search Artists:
Trusted by professionals in the live music industry around the world for 25 years!
