Endeavor falls after UFC boss Dana White hits wife

Media and entertainment company Endeavor saw its shares fall Tuesday after a video showing Dana White, president of its Ultimate Fighting Championship business, slapping his wife.

Endeavor shares closed down nearly 6%.

This week, a video published by TMZ showed White getting into an altercation with his wife, Anne, at a New Year’s Eve party in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. In the video, it appears the two are arguing before Anne White slaps Dana White. He then slaps her.

Endeavor and the UFC didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

White issued a public apology Monday, according to media reports. Anne White also issued a separate statement to TMZ, calling it an isolated incident.

White is synonymous with UFC, having served as its president since 2001.

In 2014, White spoke out about domestic violence after Ray Rice of the NFL assaulted his fiancee, saying you “don’t bounce back from putting your hands on a woman,” according to media reports. “Been that way in the UFC since we started here.”

Following the comments, White also revealed the UFC screens people for domestic violence.

Hollywood powerhouse Endeavor began as a talent agency and was co-founded by one of the industry’s most recognizable agents, Ari Emanuel. Endeavor has bulked up over the years through a series of acquisitions, owning and managing live events like the Miami Open tennis tournament and the Miss Universe international beauty pageant.

Endeavor acquired a controlling interest in UFC, a popular mixed martial arts league, in 2016. It took full ownership of UFC in 2021, the year Endeavor had its initial public offering, according to a securities filing.