Following the acquisition of WWE by Endeavor earlier this week, Endeavor President Mark Shapiro sat down and discussed the company’s strategy when it comes to growing WWE, the merging of WWE and UFC into a new company, and more.
Shapiro, who is set to serve as President of the new company, discussed the deal, and the strategy, during an interview with the Sports Business Journal.
“We’re going to run the UFC playbook,” Shapiro said of the strategy of acquisition. “The opportunity to put Vince McMahon’s creative head with Dana and Ari is going to create a significant amount of value for shareholders.”
Shapiro pointed out that 80% of WWE’s net revenues come from media, and he believes the company will be able to row WWE’s sponsorship, licensing, hospitality, and ticketing businesses, bringing them to new heights.
Additionally, Shapiro believes that WWE will be able to further develop stars via non-scripted shows, films, and also commercial endorsements, among others.
“That’s the strategy,” Shapiro said. “That’s how it has successfully played out for the UFC over the last six years. Remember when we bought it for $4.1 billion? People thought that price was crazy. Now, it is valued at $12.1 billion. I mean, what a story. We hope to do the same thing with the WWE.”
It will be interesting to see how this plays out, as a number of WWE fans have already chimed in on sports social media regarding the landmark deal that was announced on Monday, following WWE’s annual WrestleMania event.
