Ultimate fighting is a combat sport that has been around for over 100 years. It started off as a contest, where fighters could use any available style of fighting and the only rule was no biting and no eye-gouging.
The sport’s concept was to take the most effective martial arts, which were Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, Wrestling and Judo and combine them into one fighting style. It also incorporated techniques from Karate and Taekwondo. The idea was to create a mixed martial art that would allow smaller fighters to defeat bigger ones through proper training and determination.
And boy, has it come a long way! Anyone who’s familiar with the Joe Rogan Experience will know that the millionaire podcaster is a huge advocate of ultimate fighting, never missing a chance to speak extensively about the sport when the opportunity presents itself.
However, something happened that not even old Joe could have foreseen; ultimate fighting got listed on the NYSE (New York Stock Exchange).
Part of a conglomerate
The listing of the UFC was never the intention of its president, Dana White, however, under the stewardship of the Endeavor Holdings Group, it has now become part of a publicly traded company on the NYSE. As it turns out, the UFC is not being traded as a solo entity, but instead as part of the much bigger conglomerate that is Endeavor.
As was first noted by ESPN, Endeavor started trading on the 24th of May 2019 at $24 a share. It has in the subsequent two years and a bit stayed between $28 and $29 a share. It was revealed by the Security and Exchange Commission that Endeavor would take its ownership of the UFC from 50.1% to the full capacity of 100%.
The move makes complete sense; not only was the UFC one of the first sports to bounce back in terms of regular scheduling during the global health crises, but combined with Euroleague Basketball and Professional Bull Riders – also owned by Endeavor – accounted for 20% of the company’s revenue back in 2019.
Endeavor’s NYSE listing is right up there with the biggest companies listed on FTSE 100 index markets, as found on the London Stock Exchange. They might be across the pond from each other but both the NYSE and the LSE command equal respect.
Numbers and reputation
Anyone looking to invest in the UFC, and in essence, Endeavor, would need to do their homework, and this means examining the company’s history and track record. This can provide an investor or trader with the required clout and confidence to move ahead.
The Endeavor Group is over 100 years old, having been founded way back in 1898. Over the course of its existence, it’s signed up some of the most sought after talent, in fact, some of the world’s best performing artists can be found on their portfolio.
Pioneering artists of the entertainment industry such as Charlie Chaplin, Elvis Presley and Marylyn Monroe were all signed up with the Endeavor Group. It’s age, it’s eye for real talent, it all proves that the company is more than competent at what it does, and its acquisition of the UFC is yet another in a long line of profitable decisions. It’s safe to assume that in the years to come, the company will grow the UFC brand even more.
Finally there’s the diversification factor to consider. What’s very apparent is that Endeavor knows and is well-equipped at turning a profit. Anyone in the trading or investment business would do well to add this company to their portfolio.
