“He Was That Close to Being Smashed and Being Completely Broke”: Dana White Uncovers Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel’s ‘Risk’ With the UFC

UFC president Dana White revealed that Endeavor CEO, Ari Emanuel, leveraged everything when he launched a bid to buy out UFC. The American businessperson explored all the options at his disposal and shelled out $4 billion in a bid that was ridiculed by the media outlets. While the business mogul had oversight to realize and seize the booming business of the UFC, he also faced the risk of going bankrupt.

However, Emanuel’s gamble paid dividends and the current evaluation of the promotion has swelled up to $9 billion. UFC emerged as one of the biggest sports organizations in the world and continued to make strides. Notably, it also recently announced the merger with WWE, resulting in the world’s biggest sports entertainment entity. But things were bleak in 2016 when Emanuel was collecting every single penny he had.

Ari Emanuel was beyond done if the UFC had failed

The UFC lynchpin, in a conversation with Grant Cardone, revealed how Emanuel had leveraged everything, including his companies and every ounce of cash he had saved throughout the years.

He said, “And you know Ari, the guy who put the deal together to come in and buy it for 4.025 billion, leveraged everything.”

Emanuel leveraged his Hollywood agency, Endeavor, and he also owned IMG, which was also put on the line. Further, he also dug into every account had had and squeezed in every single penny. Therefore, the bid also threatened to strip him of whatever he had built over the years.

Thus, the UFC head honcho stated, “This thing fails, he’s beyond done. He’s destroyed if this thing doesn’t work.”

But the Endeavor CEO had faith in his vision and abilities and as a result, he achieved what he had hoped for.

Dana White praises Emanuel for his tenacity

The 53-year-old then lauded his boss for his attitude and unwavering faith.

He told, “But you’re talking about a guy who believed in this thing, believed in his own abilities and what he could do, and did it. And he did it. He leveraged everything he had, and he did it.”

Following this, White dismissed the notion of Emanuel’s earlier success playing any part in his successful UFC takeover.

Lastly, White summed up, “No, he was that close to being smashed and being completely broke. He took a risk. He took a shot.”

Markedly, Ari Emanuel will continue to hold his CEO post in the new UFC-WWE venture.

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What do you think of this revelation by UFC President Dana White? Do you believe Ari Emanuel’s grit and determination contributed to UFC’s success? Let us know in the comments below.

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