If you ever watch a UFC event you’ll inevitably see a slew of famous guests sitting cageside. Now, some of those celebrities are part owners of the mixed marital arts promotion.
Back in July the UFC was sold for approximately $4 billion to a group headed by Hollywood entertainment conglomerate WME-IMG, which recently offered a select group of its top clients a chance to purchase a small stake in the UFC.
NFL quarterbacks Cam Newton and Tom Brady, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, plus tennis stars Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams and Li Na are among those from the sports world included in the ownership group, the UFC announced Friday.
Late night talk show host Conan O’Brien, a WME client and now UFC part owner, was the one who broke the news late Thursday – and he did so in a very Conan-esque way.
“Expanding our ownership group to include this caliber of talent and entrepreneurs is a strong indicator of UFC’s fast-growing global presence,” UFC president Dana White said in a press release. “Our new investors bring an incredible depth of knowledge and experience to help us continue to elevate this brand and capitalize on its entertainment and sports crossover appeal.”
Other celebrates joining the UFC’s ownership group include: Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg, Sylvester Stallone, Jimmy Kimmel, LL COOL J, “The Weeknd,” Adam Levine, Calvin Harris, Guy Fieri plus Red Hot Chili Peppers Flea and Anthony Kiedis.
