Dana White Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Know Dana White’s Net Worth and Salary

With a net worth of $500 million, Dana White is an American businessman and sports promoter who stands out as the current President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a mixed martial arts organization.

In 2016, when the UFC was sold to William Morris Endeavor (WME) for $4 billion, Dana had a 9% ownership stake in the organization. Having previously sold a majority share to the Fertitta brothers (billionaire casino magnates), Dana received approximately $360 million from his 9% share after taxes.

During his tenure, White has revolutionized the UFC, turning it from a struggling niche organization into a global MMA powerhouse. He is widely acknowledged for popularizing the sport on an international scale, expanding the UFC into various markets worldwide, and securing lucrative television and sponsorship deals, leading to a substantial growth in fan base and revenue.

White’s innovative marketing tactics and talent development strategies have played a crucial role in propelling MMA into the mainstream sports arena. His efforts in organizing major fights and shaping the UFC’s image as the premier MMA organization have been pivotal in transforming the perception of the sport and enhancing its professionalization and regulation.

Beyond his UFC achievements, White has ventured into entrepreneurial pursuits like Zuffa Boxing and engaged in several philanthropic initiatives. His charismatic persona and hands-on leadership style have solidified his position as a prominent figure in the sports industry, often making headlines for his bold decisions that have advanced the MMA landscape.

Background

Born Dana Frederick White Jr. on July 28th, 1969, in Manchester, Connecticut, Dana White was raised by his mother, June, and his grandparents, alongside his sister Kelly. His youth was split between Las Vegas and Maine, with a keen interest in sports, particularly boxing, and a lifelong passion for the Boston Red Sox baseball team. He completed his high school education at Hermon High School in Maine in 1987.

Early Steps

Although White attended the University of Massachusetts without finishing his studies, he launched a boxing program for at-risk youth in the inner city during his time there. He also worked as an aerobics instructor to sustain himself. Moving to Las Vegas full-time, he founded Dana White Enterprises in 1992.

His involvement in managing fighters like Chuck Lidell and Tito Ortiz broadened to include other fighting disciplines such as Mixed Martial Arts and Muay Thai, styles that would later define the UFC.

Fortuitously, White had a childhood connection with Lorenzo Fertitta, a former.Back in the mid-’90s, they bonded over their shared love of boxing at a wedding, reuniting with a high school classmate who had paved his way as an executive at the hotel and casino company Station Casinos. They expressed their hope to collaborate in the future.

The UFC

While managing fighters brought White into disputes with the UFC, his investigation into Semaphore Entertainment Group’s finances, the parent company of the UFC, revealed their financial struggles. White, upon discovering this, approached his childhood friend Lorenzo Fertitta about the situation.

Lorenzo saw the potential profits and, after involving his older brother Frank, they struck a deal to purchase the UFC. The Fertitta brothers acquired an 81% ownership stake for $2 million in 2001 and installed White as president. Since acquiring the UFC, White and his team transformed the once frowned-upon and outlawed organization into an international sensation.

Even post-sale, White has remained the president and spearheaded the sport’s rise in popularity, turning it into a multi-billion dollar enterprise. In May 2017, the UFC disclosed that White would host “Dana White’s Contender Series” exclusively on UFC’s digital streaming platform, UFC Fight Pass. The show showcases emerging fighters vying for a chance to compete in the UFC. On March 18, 2019, White announced his contract extension with ESPN, keeping him as UFC president for another seven years.

White introduced his slap-fighting competition, “Power Slap,” in January 2023, but TBS reportedly canceled it.

UFC Sale to WME

Prior to the sale, Dana held a 9% share in the UFC. Reports in May 2016 indicated talks of a potential $6 billion sale led by the Fertitta brothers. With that valuation, Dana’s stake would have been valued at $540 million. In July 2016, UFC was indeed sold to talent agency WME-IMG for $4 billion, translating to $360 million for Dana pre-tax.

In 2023, Endeavor (formerly WME-IMG) merged WWE with UFC under a new public company, with White maintaining his role as UFC president.

Controversies

In 2009, White used derogatory and explicit language towards reporter Loretta Hunt when she ran a report about him that upset him, using anti-gay slurs when referring to her sources. GLAAD called for White and the UFC to apologize for the anti-gay slur, which was subsequently done.

During a New Year’s Eve party at a nightclub in Mexico in 2023, White was seen arguing with his wife, and Anne slapped him, to which he retaliated with a slap of his own. The incident was caught on camera, and both took responsibility, attributing it to alcohol, and apologized for their actions.

Personal Life

SInce 1996, White has been married to his wife Anne, whom he met in eighth grade. The couple has two sons, Aidan and Dana III, and a daughter named Savannah. White prefers to keep his family life private.

Announced in May 2012, White disclosed that he had been diagnosed with Ménière’s disease, a neurological disorder he attributes to a youth fight, and in 2022, he was diagnosed with high triglyceride levels. He shared that adhering to a keto diet has rectified his sleep apnea and alleviated leg pain.

An avid supporter of Donald Trump, White spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention and showed support for Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign, highlighting Trump’s early support for the UFC. White also made significant donations, including $50,000 for a liver transplant in 2010 and $100,000 for his former high school’s renovations in 2011.

Real Estate

In 2006, White purchased a mansion in Pine Island Court, Las Vegas, for $1.95 million, followed by acquiring three more mansions in the same area between October 2016 and June 2017, totaling around $6.2 million. After obtaining demolition permits for the houses, White and his family now reside in a luxurious Las Vegas mega-mansion.

Accolades

White was recognized as the Nevada Sportsman of the Year in 2009 and received the Promoter of the Year award for nine consecutive years from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Every year from 2008 to 2019, White was named Leading Man of the Year at the World MMA Awards, and in 2019, the Patriot Award was given to White by the Armed Forces Foundation.