• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Join us May 14 at 1 p.m. ET for Future of Sports: Leagues of Their Own Register Now

Endeavor’s $25B Next Act: Why the Sports Giant Is Going Private

Endeavor’s time on Wall Street was turbulent, and a $25 billion move to become a private company once again is now complete.

Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Endeavor’s long-planned move to become a private company again is now complete, with lead investor Silver Lake finalizing its acquisition of the sports and entertainment giant. 

Silver Lake acquired 100% of the outstanding Endeavor shares it didn’t already own, bringing an end to an effort first announced nearly a year ago. Endeavor spent about four years as a public company, but it often struggled on Wall Street as investors did not fully grasp the diverse nature of the company’s holdings, which stretch into events, content production, technology, and athlete representation, among other areas. 

Silver Lake, however, touted its high degree of confidence in Endeavor, which now has a combined enterprise value of $25 billion. In addition to the above fields, Endeavor is also the lead shareholder of the still-publicly traded TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of sports entities including Ultimate Fighting Championship, World Wrestling Entertainment, Professional Bull Riders, IMG, and On Location. It is now moving into boxing

“[We] have never sold a share, instead increasing our stake as we remain highly excited about the long-term growth outlook of the company,” said Silver Lake co-CEO and managing partner Egon Durban.

What’s Next?

The privatization of Endeavor sets in motion a series of resulting moves, with potentially more to come. 

Endeavor is now creating a new entity, WME Group, that will include the bulk of the WME talent agency, IMG Licensing, marketing agency 160over90, and nonscripted content business Pantheon Media. Endeavor executive chairman Patrick Whitesell, meanwhile, will leave that role to focus on a separate, Silver Lake–backed sports and media investment platform also announced last April.

Whitesell is also acquiring WME Football, the agency’s football representation business, and will serve active NFL players and coaches. That move helps satisfy conflict-of-interest claims raised by the NFL Players Association that Silver Lake could not have a stake in an agency representing active players while Durban is also a part-owner of the Raiders. WME will still be able to represent retired NFL players and coaches, while Whitesell’s football representation activities will remain separate from his other company backed by Silver Lake. Industry sources said Whitesell is considering a new name for WME Football.

With the Endeavor privatization, that conflict-of-interest issue could soon resurface with another part of Silver Lake’s sprawling empire. The company is also the lead backer of Diamond Baseball Holdings, a fast-growing owner and operator of minor-league baseball teams. The recent deals give Silver Lake an interest in those teams and a talent agency with a presence in baseball. The MLB Players Association has previously raised such concerns around Endeavor’s activities in Minor League Baseball.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Even As Pacers Keep Winning, No Arena Conflict With Caitlin Clark, Fever

The Pacers are ahead 2–0 in the conference semifinals against the Cavaliers.
Aug 26, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Former NFL player Tom Brady on the field before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Las Vegas Raiders at AT&T Stadium.

Tom Brady Denies Role in Raiders Draft, Contradicting Team Leaders

Brady said he wasn’t involved in evaluating Shedeur Sanders.

ESPN Income Down As Subscribers Fall, but Flagship Launch Looms

ESPN shows somewhat mixed results in Disney’s latest quarterly report.

Meet the Mammoth: Utah Hockey Club Begins Ice Age

The NHL team says the recently leaked name is a fan favorite.

Featured Today

Fat Perez reacts after hitting his shot on the 16th tee during the WHOOP Shot at Glory on the 16th hole at TPC in Scottsdale on Feb. 5, 2025.

Golf Influencers Are the New Currency for PGA Tour and LIV

YouTube golf is big business. The rival tours are staging formal events.
Feb 8, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson talks with New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11), forward Mikal Bridges (25), and guard Josh Hart (3) during a timeout in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden.
May 6, 2025

Before the Villanova Knicks, There Were the Kentucky Celtics

Three decades ago, Boston tried its own version of the college-teammate experiment.
Mar 22, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Joao Fonseca (BRZ) reacts after winning a point against Ugo Humbert (FRA)(not pictured) on day five of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 6, 2025

João Fonseca Is a Teen Tennis Phenom. His Parents Are Overseeing His..

The Brazilian is forgoing a management team in favor of his parents.
Athlos
May 4, 2025

Nike Wants to Pull Off the First Women’s Sub-4:00 Mile

Experts speak on whether Nike’s “moonshot” is realistic or a gimmick.

Ladies European Tour Gets Prize Money Boost From Saudi Arabia

A new PIF Global Series will pay out $13 million.
Sam Presti
May 6, 2025

Sam Presti Finally Wins NBA Executive of the Year for OKC Juggernaut

Presti has come in second place for the award three times.
May 4, 2025; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Red Bull driver Max Verstappen (1) and McLaren driver Oscar Piastri (81) during the F1 Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome.
May 7, 2025

F1 Loses Money, but Books $14.2B in Future Revenue

Executives convey optimism despite earnings issues and unresolved media rights.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Portfolio Players is our bi-weekly spotlight on the athletes and investors reshaping the business of sports. This week, venture capitalist Kai Cunningham unpacks why athletes land top deals and how the usual investing rules don’t always apply.
May 4, 2025; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; McLaren driver Oscar Piastri (right) celebrates with the winners trophy while talking McLaren driver Lando Norris (left) after winning the F1 Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome.
May 6, 2025

F1’s Miami Grand Prix Sees Ratings Slide, Yet Remains a Top U.S...

An average of 2.1 million viewers watched McLaren’s 1–2 finish Sunday.
May 6, 2025

The 2025 NHL Draft Lottery Utilized a Unique Rule for the First..

The Islanders won the first lottery and received the No. 1 pick.
May 6, 2025

NBA Playoffs TV Ratings Up 6%; Warriors-Rockets Sets Game 7 Record

ABC is up 14%, ESPN is up 10%, and TNT is up 3%.
Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sidney Crosby (87) lifts the 4 Nations Face-Off trophy after winning against Team USA in overtime during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden
May 6, 2025

NHL Cancels 2026 All-Star Game, Will Substitute With International Event

The success of 4 Nations Face-Off has changed the league’s calculus.