The Odyssey of Endeavor and WME – It’s Back to Agenting, Again | Analysis

Was it worth all the effort? All the merging and acquisitioning? 

Ari Emanuel, William Morris Endeavor, WME, Endeavor
NEW YORK – AUGUST 02: Ari Emanuel seen on the streets of Manhattan on August 2, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Bobby Bank/WireImage)

If, like most people, you haven’t been paying close attention to the up and down fortunes of Endeavor, WME and Ari Emanuel’s ambitions to become a corporate titan, let us boil it down for you: Endeavor is back to being a private talent agency. 

Also, it’s back to being called WME … WME Group, which will be led by Mark Shapiro, Emanuel’s top lieutenant. 

The financial fancy footwork here would confuse anyone after a decade-plus of deals, mergers, splits and sales. But after buying a dizzying array of man-to-manly sports assets (UFC, WWE, bull-riding) in an effort to create a 21st century entertainment brand named Endeavor, Emanuel ultimately could not sell this idea to the financial world.

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