Dana White is an American businessman who serves because the CEO and president of the Final Preventing Championship (UFC), a outstanding world combined martial arts group.
He’s additionally recognized for being the proprietor of Energy Slap, a slap preventing promotion.
White was born on July 28, 1969, in Manchester, Connecticut, and has performed a pivotal function within the growth and success of the UFC.
Below his management, the UFC has grown considerably, with White being a key determine within the negotiation of offers, fighter growth and the general operations of the group.
| Internet value | $500 million |
| Annual wage | $20 million |
| Occupation | Businessman, CEO and president of the UFC |
| Date of delivery | July 28, 1969 |
| Nationality | American |
Background and formative years
White had a various background earlier than turning into the UFC President.
His mom, Anne White, labored as a nurse, and his father, Dana White Sr., influenced his upbringing.
White spent his childhood in Manchester, Connecticut, earlier than his household relocated to Las Vegas for higher alternatives.
Regardless of going through challenges in lecturers, White attended Bishop Gorman Excessive Faculty, the place he met Lorenzo Fertitta, a future shut pal.
After highschool, White briefly attended Quincy Faculty and The College of Massachusetts Boston however dropped out.
He labored numerous jobs like laying asphalt, being a bouncer and a bellhop.
White additionally ventured into boxing however transitioned to managing fighters like Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell, which finally led to his involvement within the UFC’s acquisition by the Fertitta brothers in 2001.
Internet value
White had an estimated internet value of $500 million.
His wealth stems from numerous sources, together with his function because the UFC’s president, the place he owns an estimated 9% of the group.
The sale of the UFC to WME-IMG in 2016 introduced White an estimated $360 million pre-tax.
Aside from the UFC, White has profitable investments in numerous sectors, estimated at round $1.2 billion, together with tech startups, meals business and attire manufacturers.
His investments in cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and actual property additionally contribute considerably to his internet value.
White’s astute enterprise acumen, strategic partnerships, and ventures like Zuffa Boxing have additional enhanced his monetary success, making him one of the wealthiest figures within the sports activities business.
Wage
White earns an annual wage of $20 million because the President of the Final Preventing Championship (UFC).
This substantial earnings is a end result of his management function inside the group, the place he has performed a vital half in its success and progress.
Along with his wage, White has additionally been concerned in numerous ventures and investments which have contributed to his total wealth, estimated at round $500 million.
Aside from his wage, White is thought for his profitable investments in several sectors, together with tech startups, meals business, attire manufacturers, cryptocurrencies and actual property, which have additional boosted his monetary standing.
Automobile assortment
White has a formidable automotive assortment that displays his ardour for luxurious automobiles.
is assortment features a Ferrari F430 Spider, a BMW M6 Gran Coupe, a Traditional Defender Works V8 seventieth Version, a 1971 Plymouth Barracuda, a Cadillac Escalade ESV and extra.
White’s love for vehicles extends past simply luxurious automobiles; he additionally owns bikes, together with a Ducati and an MV Augusta F4.
Notably, White has a sentimental attachment to his first automotive, a Datsun B210, showcasing a slice of humility in his assortment.
His numerous automotive assortment, starting from traditional muscle vehicles to fashionable luxurious automobiles, displays his success and appreciation for fantastic vehicles.
Moreover, White’s affiliation with manufacturers like Harley-Davidson has additional enriched his assortment, with customized cruisers and bikes including a novel contact to his spectacular array of automobiles.
Actual property properties
White owns a number of actual property properties and homes, significantly in Las Vegas.
He bought a mansion in Pine Island Courtroom, Las Vegas, in 2006 from Frank Fertitta III for $1.95 million.
Subsequently, between October 2016 and June 2017, White acquired three further mansions in the identical space, totaling round $6.2 million.
Apparently, demolition permits have been issued for these homes, indicating White’s intention to mix them right into a mega-mansion for his household.
This strategic actual property funding showcases White’s penchant for luxurious residing and his need to create a customized and expansive residing house for his household in Las Vegas.
Early profession
Earlier than turning into the President of the UFC, White had a various early profession.
He labored as a bellman in numerous inns in Boston, together with the Boston Harbor Resort, and likewise took on roles as a bouncer on the Black Rose bar and as an asphalt layer.
White’s journey into the world of fight sports activities started when he began boxing on the age of 17.
Regardless of making an attempt school, he finally dropped out and pursued a profession in boxing, turning into a coach and aerobics teacher.
White’s path led him to Las Vegas, the place he met Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, who have been pivotal in his transition to managing combined martial artists, together with Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell.
This involvement finally led to his vital function within the acquisition of the UFC in 2001, the place he was appointed because the group’s president.
Involvement in UFC
White’s involvement within the UFC has primarily been in managerial and govt roles reasonably than as a coach.
Earlier than turning into the President of the Final Preventing Championship (UFC), White had a background in boxing and briefly thought-about pursuing knowledgeable boxing profession.
Nevertheless, attributable to considerations concerning the long-term well being implications related to boxing, he transitioned to teaching as an alternative of competing professionally.
White’s journey in fight sports activities led him to handle outstanding combined martial artists like Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell, which finally performed a major function in his involvement with the UFC.
Since assuming the place of UFC President in 2001, White has been instrumental within the group’s progress and success, overseeing numerous facets of the enterprise, negotiations, and operations.
UFC acquisition
White performed a pivotal function within the acquisition of the Final Preventing Championship (UFC) by the Fertitta brothers in 2001.
At the moment, the UFC was going through monetary difficulties, and White noticed a chance to not solely save the group but in addition remodel it into one thing extraordinary.
White managed to persuade Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta to buy the struggling UFC for $2 million.
This acquisition led to the institution of Zuffa, LLC, with White appointed as the corporate’s president.
Below the possession of the Fertitta brothers and with White on the helm, the UFC underwent vital transformations, together with substantial investments, clearing money owed and funding operations.
This strategic transfer not solely saved the UFC but in addition paved the best way for its evolution right into a authentic sporting occasion, attracting mainstream consideration and celeb involvement.
White’s imaginative and prescient and management have been instrumental in reshaping the UFC and propelling it to grow to be a globally acknowledged model on the planet of combined martial arts.
UFC sale to WME
The Final Preventing Championship (UFC) was bought to WME-IMG, a consortium led by WME-IMG that included backers MSD Capital, KKR and Silver Lake, for almost $4 billion.
This historic sale marked a major milestone in sports activities enterprise historical past, making it probably the most profitable deal for any sports activities franchise at the moment.
The acquisition concerned UFC President Dana White, who maintained a small stake within the firm and continued in his function after the sale.
The sale was pushed by the imaginative and prescient of the brand new possession crew, significantly WME-IMG co-CEOs Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell, who aimed to take the UFC to the subsequent degree of success.
Regardless of preliminary denials of any sale plans, the deal was finalized, with the Fertitta brothers, who beforehand owned the UFC, additionally retaining a small stake within the league.
The acquisition by WME-IMG signaled a brand new chapter for the UFC, with a give attention to accelerating world progress and guaranteeing the game’s continued success on a world scale.
Philanthropic efforts
White has been actively concerned in philanthropic efforts, demonstrating his dedication to giving again to the neighborhood.
Notably, he donated $100,000 to Dustin Poirier’s charity, The Good Struggle Basis, which helps numerous charitable causes, together with serving to these in want.
As well as, White pledged $1 million to assist the households and victims affected by the Las Vegas shootings in 2017.
His generosity prolonged to supporting most cancers survivors like Cody O’Connor, who established the Champions Do Overcome basis to help households with youngsters battling most cancers.
White not solely supplied monetary support but in addition supplied to advertise the message of Champions Do Overcome by way of his world contacts and collaborations with celebrities like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
Moreover, White donated proceeds from the sale of ‘UF-Sea’ shirts to the Bob Woodruff Basis, which helps injured post-9/11 service members, veterans, and their households.
These philanthropic endeavors spotlight White’s dedication to creating a constructive impression and supporting numerous charitable causes.
Controversies
White has been concerned in numerous controversies all through his profession.
One notable incident occurred in 2022 when White threatened to resign from the UFC in protection of Joe Rogan amid controversies surrounding Rogan’s feedback.
Rogan confronted backlash for utilizing the N-word and selling misinformation about COVID-19 on his podcast.
White’s unwavering assist for Rogan led him to take a stand, emphasizing loyalty and defending these near him.
Moreover, White confronted criticism for his response to a bodily altercation along with his spouse, the place he averted suspension regardless of related incidents leading to suspensions for different high-profile figures in sports activities.
This incident raised questions on White’s dealing with of private issues and the repercussions he confronted.
Furthermore, White has been pragmatic in addressing controversies involving UFC fighters, corresponding to Charles Radtke and Manel Kape utilizing inappropriate language after fights.
Whereas White emphasised acknowledging errors and private progress, his strategy to dealing with such incidents underscored the complexities of managing controversies inside the UFC.
Household
White is married to Anne Stella, whom he met within the eighth grade, they usually tied the knot in 1996.
The couple has three youngsters, two sons and one daughter.
Their daughter, Savannah White, remains to be pursuing her tutorial years and maintains a non-public life away from the general public limelight.
White’s eldest son, Dana White III, has excelled in soccer, showcasing a ardour for the game.
Regardless of beginning as a quarterback, a collarbone harm led him to transition to security.
Dana III appears to be like as much as his father as a task mannequin for his exhausting work and success.
Adai White, one other of Dana White’s youngsters, has proven promise in martial arts, making his newbie debut with a win in 2017.
The White household values pursuing one’s passions, with Dana White supporting his youngsters in following their chosen paths, whether or not in sports activities or different endeavors.
Dana White relationship along with his mom
White’s relationship along with his mom, June White, has been advanced and marked by public scrutiny.
June launched an unauthorized biography titled Dana White, King of MMA, the place she portrayed her son as having modified from a “good individual” to a “vindictive tyrant” after his success with the UFC.
Within the guide, she expressed emotions of abandonment, claiming that White had distanced himself from household and mates who had supported him throughout difficult instances.
This public airing of household grievances make clear the strained relationship between White and his mom, highlighting underlying tensions and emotional complexities inside their household dynamic.
Furthermore, White’s atheism and differing beliefs from his Catholic upbringing have additionally contributed to the complexities of his relationship along with his mom.
Regardless of these challenges, White’s success and public persona have been juxtaposed with private struggles and familial discord, underscoring the multifaceted nature of his relationships and the impression of public scrutiny on personal household issues.
Atheism
White identifies as an atheist, indicating that he doesn’t imagine within the existence of God, the afterlife or supernatural entities.
Regardless of being raised as a Catholic and serving as an altar boy throughout his childhood,
White’s private beliefs developed over time, main him to reject organized faith and embrace atheism.
In a Playboy interview, White explicitly acknowledged, “I don’t imagine in God, the satan, ghosts or any of that stuff.”
Whereas he acknowledges his fascination with faith and its impression on society, White’s atheism displays his skepticism in the direction of spiritual doctrines and supernatural beliefs.
His atheistic stance aligns along with his important and simple strategy to expressing his opinions, even on controversial matters like faith, the place he has overtly criticized the hazards he associates with organized faith.
White’s atheism is a major side of his private beliefs and worldview, shaping his perspective on spirituality and guiding his interactions with faith-related issues.
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