Despite a world that has not fully recovered from the ongoing global pandemic, the Ultimate Fighting Championship is raking in boatloads of cash like it’s 2019.
UFC parent company Endeavor has record first half revenue in 2021
In a new investor release put out by the UFC’s parent company Endeavor, the Las Vegas-based mixed martial arts organization has helped its parent company Endeavor Group Holdings Inc. to have a banner year so far in 2021. The earnings report on the second quarter of the year states that the company earned US $1.1 billion in the second quarter of this year alone. Up from the US $650 million made in the same period a year ago.
The reports states, “UFC’s Q2 performance – including three sold-out, arena record Pay-Per-View events – led to biggest first half in UFC history.” No doubt, the big bump in revenue this year came from the promotion being able to promote events again in packed arenas in Houston and Las Vegas. After a year of putting on fan-less events from inside the UFC APEX, and at the promotion’s second pandemic era home on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
“Despite continued challenges brought on by the pandemic, our company once again demonstrated resilience, due in large part to our global portfolio of premium assets and the creativity of our employees and partners,” Endeavor CEO Ariel Emanuel stated in the report. “As you look at the secular trends defining our industries — marked by the growing demand for content, the increased value of the talent and brands behind that content, and the desire of people to come together around live events and experiences — Endeavor remains firmly and uniquely positioned for a strong second half of 2021.”
In the Q2 report, on several occasions “media rights fees” are mentioned as a key reason for Endeavor’s increased revenue in 2021 compared to 2020. Although many industries and companies around the world have struggled to rebound from a never-ending pandemic that has seen case surges in all parts of the globe, the company has been aided by the strength of the UFC brand.
Endeavor purchased the UFC for US $4 billion in 2016. The company owns talent agencies Williams Morris Agency, and IMG. In 2021, they sold 21.3 million shares in a public offering on the stock market.
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