Source: Saudi Arabian Prince Expected To Make "Significant Investment" In Endeavor

Endeavor, the holding company for WME, PBR, UFC and IMG, is "poised to get a significant investment from Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Muhammed bin Salman," according to a source cited by Donnelly & Waxman of THE WRAP. Bin Salman has been "seeking to open up Saudi Arabia to new forms of industry." The investment "would represent a minority share in the company" and would "come through the kingdom’s public investment fund." The investment is "expected to close in the next two weeks" (THEWRAP.com, 1/15). BLOOMBERG NEWS' Nair, David, Sakoui & Martin cite sources as saying that the "preliminary discussions" have called for Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund to pump "more than" $500M in Endeavor, which will help the agency "expand its operations." Sources said that the stake in Endeavor "could range" between 5-10%, "though the final size and valuation are still being negotiated." A source this past August said that Endeavor was valued at $6.3B "including debt," while its equity was valued at $5B (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 1/16).