The Fertitta's sale of the UFC to the WME-IMG group is set to work out really, really well for current UFC president Dana White.
The deal that has been agreed will result in a lucrative pay-day for Dana, whose position was never in doubt during the sale talks, and will not only see him receive a massive amount for his current shares in the company, but also stands to make more from the UFC's continued growth.
Details that originally emerged from ESPN claim that Dana White will receive $360 million for his 9% stake in the company, and will sign a five-year contract that sees him retain his current position of president.
Sources tell ESPN that White's new deal is for five years and for nine percent of net profits of the company. The deal also gives White the incentive to further grow the business instead of having a locked-in salary. When reached on Tuesday, White declined comment.
Sources confirmed that White owned nine percent of the UFC, which would mean his cash out on the recent $4 billion sale to agency WME-IMG and other partners will be roughly $360 million when the deal closes. It was not immediately known if White is retaining any percentage of the new company.
Estimates that were also included in the report suggested that White will earn a minimum of $18m a year, putting him in a similar pay-scale to NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell.
Anyone who knows White seems to share the opinion that nobody in the business works harder than him, and his efforts will now be very well rewarded. Also worth noting is that Dana was one of the main reasons behind the Fertitta's buying the UFC for a now comical $2 million back in 2001, and while his partners are cashing in, he has managed to keep business as usual while also welcoming a massive pay-day.
Well for him.
Now we can't help but wonder what will happen to his good buddy Joe Rogan who has said before he would walk away from the UFC if it was sold.
