WME Group
An American entertainment, sports, and media-agency group formed through the 2009 merger of the William Morris Agency and Endeavor Talent Agency.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
WME Group, LLC, doing business as The WME Group, is an American holding company for talent, sports, media, and related agencies. Its principal offices are in Beverly Hills, California. The organization traces its modern corporate structure to the April 2009 merger of the William Morris Agency, one of Hollywood’s historic agencies, and Endeavor Talent Agency, a younger agency founded in 1995. The combined business initially operated as William Morris Endeavor, commonly abbreviated WME, and represented clients across film, television, music, theater, digital media, publishing, sports, and fashion. The merger was engineered principally by Endeavor executives Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell, who became the combined agency’s co-chief executives. WME inherited William Morris’s long-standing entertainment relationships while retaining Endeavor’s comparatively entrepreneurial culture and emphasis on expanding beyond traditional talent representation. The company developed training and management practices such as the Farmhouse program and pursued investments, partnerships, and acquisitions in advertising, digital media, sports, esports, content production, and consumer-facing events. A major turning point came with WME’s 2013 agreement to acquire IMG with financial backing from Silver Lake. Completed in 2014, the transaction added IMG’s international sports, fashion, events, licensing, and media businesses and led to the WME-IMG identity. The enlarged group subsequently acquired or invested in businesses connected with esports, professional bull riding, beauty pageants, sports rights, advertising, film finance, and content sales. In 2016, a consortium led by WME-IMG and Silver Lake acquired UFC parent Zuffa, making mixed martial arts a central part of the group’s sports portfolio. In 2017, the parent company was renamed Endeavor. The talent agency continued to use the WME name, while IMG remained the principal sports and events brand. Endeavor also assembled a wider portfolio that included UFC, later WWE through TKO Group Holdings, Endeavor Streaming, Endeavor-owned or affiliated production businesses, and sports and collegiate-rights operations. WME itself continues to represent performers, writers, directors, musicians, athletes, creators, and other public figures, while related Endeavor and IMG businesses provide brand partnerships, sports marketing, event management, media rights, and production services. The group’s expansion also created regulatory, labor, and conflict-of-interest challenges. The Writers Guild of America challenged agency packaging practices and agency ownership interests in production businesses. In 2021, Endeavor agreed to limits on packaging and to reduce its ownership of Endeavor Content. Most of the scripted-content business was sold to CJ ENM and was subsequently renamed Fifth Season, while Endeavor retained a minority interest and certain non-scripted, documentary, and advisory activities. WME has also faced litigation and reputational scrutiny relating to allegations against former motion-picture department head Adam Venit. Endeavor Group Holdings completed a public offering in 2021 after postponing an earlier 2019 offering. In 2023, Endeavor combined UFC parent Zuffa and WWE into TKO Group Holdings, with Endeavor retaining a majority interest. Silver Lake later completed a transaction to take Endeavor private on March 24, 2025; Patrick Whitesell left the company after relinquishing his executive-chairman position. Reference material identifies Ari Emanuel as head of The WME Group as of 2026, when Endeavor was rebranded as The WME Group. The organization’s activities therefore span both direct talent representation under WME and a broader collection of sports, media, production, and commercial agencies held within the Endeavor group.
History
The modern WME Group emerged from the combination of two agencies with very different histories. Endeavor Talent Agency was launched in 1995 and developed rapidly in Hollywood, becoming known for aggressive growth and a willingness to compete with established agencies. William Morris Agency, by contrast, was one of the oldest and most established American talent agencies. On April 27, 2009, the agencies announced their merger, creating William Morris Endeavor. Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell became co-chief executives, and the merged organization moved into Endeavor’s Beverly Hills offices. The transaction also resulted in substantial personnel changes at the former William Morris Agency. During its first years, WME expanded its business model beyond conventional representation. Emanuel and Whitesell emphasized risk-taking, cross-sector deals, and agent development, including the Farmhouse training program. The company supported Camp Summer Eagle, a charitable program for schoolchildren in Compton, and pursued relationships in digital advertising, social media, music licensing, investment, and technology. It helped launch or backed ventures including Raine, RED Interactive, TheAudience, Jingle Punks, and OpenSky. Silver Lake became an important financial and strategic partner. In 2012 it agreed to acquire a minority interest in WME and joined the committee guiding the agency’s investment strategy. In 2013 WME took a minority position in advertising agency Droga5 and announced the acquisition of IMG with Silver Lake. IMG brought international sports representation, events, fashion, licensing, and media rights. The combined company became WME-IMG and subsequently enlarged its sports portfolio through acquisitions involving esports, Professional Bull Riders, and the Miss Universe Organization. In 2016, WME-IMG and its investment partners acquired Zuffa, the parent of UFC. In October 2017, WME-IMG’s parent was renamed Endeavor. WME continued as the general talent agency and IMG continued as the sports and events agency. Endeavor formed Endeavor Content from several film-financing, scripted-television sales, and advisory operations. It also acquired branding agency 160over90 and continued to develop production, marketing, streaming, and sports businesses. Endeavor’s proposed 2019 IPO was postponed shortly before its planned market debut. A revised offering proceeded in April 2021, and the company later bought out other Zuffa shareholders, making UFC fully owned by Endeavor at that level. The agency faced a major industry dispute with the Writers Guild of America, which argued that packaging fees and agency ownership of production companies created conflicts of interest. A 2021 agreement required Endeavor to stop using packaging deals and limit its ownership of affiliated production companies. Endeavor consequently sold most of Endeavor Content to CJ ENM. The business was renamed Fifth Season in 2022, while Endeavor retained a minority interest and selected non-scripted and advisory activities. Endeavor continued to consolidate sports assets. In 2023, UFC’s parent Zuffa and WWE were combined into TKO Group Holdings. Endeavor retained 51 percent of TKO, while WWE shareholders received the remaining 49 percent. Ari Emanuel became TKO’s chief executive, Mark Shapiro became president and chief operating officer, and Nick Khan continued as president of WWE. Separately, Endeavor acquired Pantheon Media Group and Ross Yoon Agency in 2023. Silver Lake completed a transaction to take Endeavor private on March 24, 2025. Patrick Whitesell left after relinquishing his executive-chairman position. Reference material identifies Ari Emanuel as head of The WME Group in 2026 and states that Endeavor was then rebranded as The WME Group. The resulting organization combines WME’s core talent-representation business with a broader network of sports, media, marketing, events, and content interests.
- 2026
Rebranded as The WME Group
[1]Reference material states that Endeavor adopted The WME Group identity and that Ari Emanuel headed the organization.
- 2025
Endeavor is taken private
[1]Silver Lake completed a transaction to take Endeavor private.
- 2023
UFC and WWE form TKO
[1]Endeavor combined UFC parent Zuffa and WWE into TKO Group Holdings.
- 2022
Endeavor Content is renamed Fifth Season
[1]The content business adopted the Fifth Season name after its transaction with CJ ENM.
- 2021
Endeavor goes public
[1]Endeavor Group Holdings completed its IPO and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
- 2017
Parent company becomes Endeavor
[1]WME-IMG was reorganized under the Endeavor name, while the talent and sports agencies retained WME and IMG branding.
- 2016
Zuffa and UFC join the portfolio
[1]A WME-IMG-led consortium acquired Zuffa, the parent company of UFC.
- 2013
IMG acquisition announced
[1]WME and Silver Lake announced the acquisition of IMG, transforming the group’s international sports and events capabilities.
- 2012
Silver Lake takes a minority stake
[1]Silver Lake became a minority investor and strategic partner in WME.
- 2009
William Morris Endeavor is formed
[1]William Morris Agency and Endeavor Talent Agency completed the merger that created WME.
Products and positioning
A global entertainment and sports agency group combining talent representation with sports, media, marketing, events, and content capabilities.
Talent agency · 2009
WME Talent Representation
WME represents clients in film, television, music, theater, publishing, digital media, and related creative fields. Its work includes career strategy, employment negotiations, rights arrangements, packaging and development support where permitted, endorsements, and connections with studios, platforms, brands, and producers.
Sports agency · 2009
WME Sports Representation
The group represents athletes, leagues, teams, and sports properties through WME and related Endeavor and IMG operations. Services include athlete representation, commercial partnerships, sponsorships, media rights, licensing, event strategy, and sports marketing.
Sports and events agency · 2014
IMG Sports and Events
Added through the IMG transaction, IMG contributes international sports representation, event management, fashion and lifestyle activities, licensing, and media-rights capabilities. It also supports collegiate athletics and represents or services major sports properties.
Sports entertainment · 2016
UFC and TKO-related sports assets
Endeavor’s sports-entertainment portfolio includes UFC through TKO Group Holdings and, following the 2023 combination, WWE. These businesses operate as sports and entertainment properties rather than conventional talent-agency products.
Marketing services · 2009
Brand Partnerships and Sports Marketing
WME and affiliated agencies connect talent, athletes, sports properties, and brands through endorsements, sponsorships, advertising collaborations, experiential programs, and strategic marketing. The group’s expansion into agencies such as 160over90 broadened these capabilities.
Content production and sales · 2017
Endeavor Content / Fifth Season
Endeavor Content was created from film-financing, scripted-television sales, and advisory operations. Most of its scripted business was sold to CJ ENM and renamed Fifth Season; Endeavor retained a minority interest and selected non-scripted, documentary, and consulting activities.
Controversies
2022
Justin Hurwitz sues WME over live-performance profits
Composer Justin Hurwitz filed a lawsuit against William Morris Endeavor (WME), alleging that the agency improperly profited from live performances and cheated him out of profits. WME said the claims were without merit and that it intended to defend itself.
2017
Adam Venit misconduct allegations
Terry Crews alleged that WME motion-picture department head Adam Venit had engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct at an industry event. WME suspended Venit after an internal investigation; he returned after unpaid leave. Crews later filed a lawsuit against Venit and WME.
Marketing campaigns
- 2015ELeague development
United States
WME-IMG partnered with Turner Broadcasting to create a televised esports league.
Outcome. Extended the group’s activities into broadcast esports.
- 2012TheAudience social campaigns
United States · Global
WME partnered with TheAudience and digital entrepreneur Sean Parker on social-media campaigns for entertainment properties including the film Ted and the Coachella Music Festival.
Outcome. Expanded the agency’s digital marketing and social-media capabilities.
- 2011Camp Summer Eagle
United States
WME and its foundation created a program providing donations and activities for pupils at Foster Elementary School in Compton, California.
Outcome. Community initiative established.
Brand decisions
2025
Endeavor privatizationM&ABackground
Silver Lake pursued full ownership of Endeavor Group Holdings after previously serving as a major financial partner.
Action taken
Silver Lake completed the transaction to take Endeavor private.
Aftermath
Patrick Whitesell relinquished the executive-chairman role and left the company; the organization was later described as The WME Group.
2023
UFC–WWE combinationM&ABackground
WWE was exploring a sale, while Endeavor already controlled UFC through Zuffa.
Action taken
Endeavor combined Zuffa and WWE into TKO Group Holdings, retaining a 51 percent interest and assigning executive roles to Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro.
Aftermath
TKO became a major publicly traded sports-entertainment company and WWE ceased to be controlled by the McMahon family.
2021
Divestiture of most Endeavor Content ownershipStrategyBackground
The Writers Guild of America required changes to agency packaging practices and limits on agency ownership of affiliated production companies.
Action taken
Endeavor agreed to sell most of the scripted-content business to CJ ENM while retaining a minority stake and selected activities.
Aftermath
The business was renamed Fifth Season in 2022, and the transaction reduced the agency’s ownership interest in the production operation.
Purchase price. $785 million (Completed January 2022)
2017
Reorganization under the Endeavor nameStrategyBackground
The enlarged WME-IMG group had expanded well beyond traditional talent representation through IMG, sports assets, content activities, and investments.
Action taken
The parent company was renamed Endeavor, while WME remained the general talent agency and IMG remained the sports agency.
Aftermath
The structure separated the corporate parent from its principal agency brands and supported further expansion into sports and media.
Recent events
Justin Hurwitz sues WME over live-performance profits[2]
Reported:
Composer Justin Hurwitz filed a lawsuit against William Morris Endeavor (WME), alleging that the agency improperly profited from live performances and cheated him out of profits. WME said the claims were without merit and that it intended to defend itself.
Sources2 sources
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