Endeavor Goes Private in $25B Silver Lake Deal

Endeavor Group Holdings has officially transitioned to a private company after Silver Lake Partners finalized its acquisition, marking the largest public-to-private investment transaction in the media and entertainment sector, valued at $25 billion. Shareholders received $27.50 per share in cash, a significant premium over the stock's previous market value. The company, which has struggled since its IPO in 2021, will now operate under the name WME Group, while its subsidiary TKO, which includes WWE and UFC, will remain publicly traded. Ari Emanuel will serve as Executive Chairman of WME Group, while Mark Shapiro's title will change to President and Managing Partner. Silver Lake expressed confidence in the long-term growth prospects for Endeavor, which retains a controlling stake in TKO. The privatization aims to allow Endeavor to pursue strategic growth opportunities without the pressures of public market fluctuations.