Silver Lake Closes Landmark $25B Endeavor Buyout as Company Transforms Into WME Group
Private equity firm Silver Lake has completed its $25 billion acquisition of Endeavor, purchasing all outstanding shares at $27.50 per share—a 55% premium over the company's pre-announcement stock price. Following the acquisition, Endeavor has been delisted from the NYSE and rebranded as WME Group.
NYSE facade at Wall Street
The newly formed WME Group consolidates several major entertainment assets under one umbrella, including:
- WME talent agency
- Marketing agency 160over90
- IMG Licensing
- Pantheon Media Group
Key leadership changes include:
- Ari Emanuel transitioning to Executive Chairman
- Mark Shapiro becoming President and Managing Partner
The acquisition was supported by multiple investment partners, including Mubadala Investment Company, DFO Management, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, and CPP Investments.
Silver Lake Co-CEO Egon Durban noted that under Emanuel and Whitesell's leadership, Endeavor's revenue has grown twentyfold since Silver Lake's initial investment in 2012. The private equity firm has invested in Endeavor six times previously, and this acquisition now represents Silver Lake's largest portfolio position.
The deal marks one of the largest transactions in the entertainment sector to date, positioning Silver Lake as a major player in the industry while setting the stage for continued growth across sports and entertainment media.
image
Mariah Carey performs live onstage