Fertitta Brothers - UFC/MMA
The Fertitta brothers came from the Las Vegas casino industry, being owners of Station Casinos. Their childhood friend Dana White convinced them to buy the UFC for $2 million when the organization was on the brink of bankruptcy. In the early years, the Fertittas invested around $44 million of their own money to keep the UFC afloat, an investment that seemed destined for failure until the success of TUF in 2005. Their return on investment, with the sale for $4 billion in 2016, is one of the biggest in sports business history.
Fertitta Brothers
Lorenzo Fertitta played a crucial role in getting MMA regulated in American athletic commissions. His background in the casino world and political connections in Nevada helped legitimize the sport, a key step for the growth of the UFC.
Fertitta Brothers & Zuffa
Zuffa LLC is the company created by the Fertitta brothers to purchase and manage the UFC. The Fertittas were the owners of Zuffa while Dana White served as the operating president, forming the trio that built modern UFC. Zuffa.
FAQ - Fertitta Brothers
Why did the Fertittas invest in the UFC?
Dana White, their childhood friend, convinced them that the UFC had enormous potential despite its financial troubles. The Fertittas saw an opportunity to acquire a brand with potential at a bargain price and leverage their entertainment business expertise to grow it.
How much did the Fertittas make from the sale of the UFC?
With the sale for $4 billion in 2016, the Fertittas achieved an extraordinary return on their initial investment of about $44 million. Their share of the sale made them among the wealthiest individuals in America.
