It was announced Friday that part of the investors that recently purchased the Ultimate Fighting Championship for $4 billion includes a host of celebrities and sports personalities. Those with a stake in the world’s premier professional mixed martial arts league include the likes of Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg, Rob Dyrdek, Serena Williams, Conan O’Brien, Sly Stallone and Tom Brady among others.
Here’s Conan making the announcement on his show last night:
Statement via press release:
Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, Adam Levine, Anthony Kiedis, Ben Affleck, Calvin Harris, Cam Newton, Conan O’Brien, Flea, Guy Fieri, Jimmy Kimmel, Li Na, LL COOL J, Maria Sharapova, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Bay, Rob Dyrdek, Robert Kraft, Serena Williams, Sylvester Stallone, Tom Brady, Trey Parker, Tyler Perry and Venus Williams are the latest to join UFC’s ownership group. In July 2016, global entertainment and sports leader WME | IMG – joined by Silver Lake Partners, KKR, MSD Capital, L.P. and MSD Partners, L.P. – announced it would acquire UFC®, the world’s premier professional mixed martial arts (MMA) organization.
UFC President Dana White commented. “Expanding our ownership group to include this caliber of talent and entrepreneurs is a strong indicator of UFC’s fast-growing global presence,” White said. “Our new investors bring an incredible depth of knowledge and experience to help us continue to elevate this brand and capitalize on its entertainment and sports crossover appeal.”