Endeavor Group Holdings
Global sports and entertainment company representing world-leading talent, intellectual property, and brands through multiple specialized divisions.
Company Type
public
Founded
1995
Headquarters
Beverly Hills, California, USA
About Endeavor Group Holdings
Who owns Endeavor?
Endeavor Group Holdings is owned by Silver Lake Partners, a technology-focused private equity firm that completed its acquisition of Endeavor in March 2025. The company is no longer publicly traded.
Endeavor Group Holdings is owned by Silver Lake Partners, a technology-focused private equity firm that completed its acquisition of Endeavor in March 2025. The company is no longer publicly traded.
Does Endeavor own UFC and WWE?
No longer directly. UFC and WWE were combined into TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) in 2023, a separately publicly traded company. Endeavor held a majority stake in TKO but announced plans to divest this stake in 2024.
No longer directly. UFC and WWE were combined into TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) in 2023, a separately publicly traded company. Endeavor held a majority stake in TKO but announced plans to divest this stake in 2024.
Is Endeavor publicly traded?
No, Endeavor was taken private by Silver Lake Partners in March 2025. It was previously traded on NYSE under ticker EDR from April 2021 to March 2025.
No, Endeavor was taken private by Silver Lake Partners in March 2025. It was previously traded on NYSE under ticker EDR from April 2021 to March 2025.
What is WME?
WME (William Morris Endeavor) is one of the world's largest talent agencies, representing actors, directors, musicians, athletes, and other talent. WME was formed in 2009 through the merger of the William Morris Agency and Endeavor Talent Agency.
WME (William Morris Endeavor) is one of the world's largest talent agencies, representing actors, directors, musicians, athletes, and other talent. WME was formed in 2009 through the merger of the William Morris Agency and Endeavor Talent Agency.
When was Endeavor founded?
Endeavor Talent Agency was founded in 1995 by Ari Emanuel and colleagues. The current Endeavor Group Holdings emerged from the 2013 merger of WME and IMG, with the Endeavor name adopted in 2017.
Endeavor Talent Agency was founded in 1995 by Ari Emanuel and colleagues. The current Endeavor Group Holdings emerged from the 2013 merger of WME and IMG, with the Endeavor name adopted in 2017.
History of Endeavor Group Holdings
Endeavor traces its origins to 1995 when Ari Emanuel and several colleagues left the International Creative Management (ICM) talent agency to found Endeavor Talent Agency in Beverly Hills, California. Emanuel, the son of a physician and brother of former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel, built Endeavor into one of Hollywood's top talent agencies.
In 2009, Endeavor merged with the William Morris Agency, one of Hollywood's oldest and most prestigious talent agencies (founded 1898), to form William Morris Endeavor (WME). The merger created one of the world's largest talent agencies.
In 2013, WME acquired IMG (International Management Group), a major sports and entertainment company founded by Mark McCormack in 1960. IMG represented athletes, managed sports events, and operated in fashion and media. The combined company was known as WME-IMG.
In 2016, WME-IMG led a consortium that acquired Zuffa, LLC (the parent company of UFC) for approximately $4 billion, one of the largest sports acquisitions in history. This gave Endeavor control of the world's premier mixed martial arts organization.
In October 2017, WME-IMG was reorganized and renamed Endeavor Group Holdings. Ari Emanuel became CEO and Patrick Whitesell became Executive Chairman.
Endeavor went public on the New York Stock Exchange in April 2021 under ticker EDR, raising approximately $511 million in its IPO.
In 2023, Endeavor combined UFC with WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) to create TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), a new publicly traded company. Endeavor held a majority stake in TKO Group Holdings. The combination valued the combined entity at approximately $21 billion.
In October 2024, Endeavor announced it would sell its remaining stake in TKO Group Holdings and focus on its talent representation and marketing businesses.
In March 2025, Silver Lake Partners completed its acquisition of Endeavor, taking the company private at approximately $13 per share.
Brands Owned by Endeavor Group Holdings
Endeavor Group Holdings owns 2 brands in our database.
UFC
Owned by Endeavor Group Holdings
Ultimate Fighting Championship, the world's premier mixed martial arts organization hosting elite MMA competitions and events globally.
mixed-martial-artsmmasports
WME
Owned by Endeavor Group Holdings
Global talent agency representing world-leading entertainers, athletes, and fashion designers across film, television, music, and sports.
talent-agencyentertainmentsports-representation
Endeavor Group Holdings Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +WME is one of the world's two dominant talent agencies alongside CAA
- +Silver Lake's private equity backing provides capital for strategic investments
- +Integrated model combining talent representation, marketing, and events creates synergies
- +Strong relationships with major studios, networks, and streaming platforms
- +Frieze art fair business provides diversification into the art market
Considerations
- -Private company status following Silver Lake acquisition limits transparency
- -WGA packaging fee dispute highlighted potential conflicts of interest in talent representation
- -Separation from TKO Group Holdings (UFC/WWE) removes major sports assets
- -Private equity ownership creates eventual exit pressure
- -Talent agency business is dependent on the health of the entertainment industry
Frequently Asked Questions About Endeavor Group Holdings
Who owns Endeavor?
Endeavor Group Holdings is owned by Silver Lake Partners, a technology-focused private equity firm that completed its acquisition of Endeavor in March 2025. The company is no longer publicly traded.
Does Endeavor own UFC and WWE?
No longer directly. UFC and WWE were combined into TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) in 2023, a separately publicly traded company. Endeavor held a majority stake in TKO but announced plans to divest this stake in 2024.
Is Endeavor publicly traded?
No, Endeavor was taken private by Silver Lake Partners in March 2025. It was previously traded on NYSE under ticker EDR from April 2021 to March 2025.
What is WME?
WME (William Morris Endeavor) is one of the world's largest talent agencies, representing actors, directors, musicians, athletes, and other talent. WME was formed in 2009 through the merger of the William Morris Agency and Endeavor Talent Agency.
When was Endeavor founded?
Endeavor Talent Agency was founded in 1995 by Ari Emanuel and colleagues. The current Endeavor Group Holdings emerged from the 2013 merger of WME and IMG, with the Endeavor name adopted in 2017.
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