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- WME
WME Revenue, Valuation, Funding & Investors
WME is valued at $5.5B as of March 2016, a 3.2x revenue multiple. WME revenue was $1.7B, as disclosed with its latest round.
Last WME valuation
$5.5B
Undisclosed stage · Mar 2016
Last WME funding round
$1B
Undisclosed stage · Aug 2017
WME revenue
$1.7B
Undisclosed stage · Mar 2016
Key investors in WME
SoftBank Group
GIC
CPP Investments
Silver Lake
About WME
WME is a talent agency headquartered at 9601 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, in the Los Angeles area, that represents artists, content creators and talent across film, television, music, theatre, books, digital media, fashion, food, comedy and sports. It negotiates deals for clients, advises them on brand partnerships, production and the use of their intellectual property, and earns commissions on the work it books. Besides its Los Angeles headquarters it has offices in New York, Nashville, Chicago, Washington, Miami, London and Sydney. WME was formed in April 2009 by the merger of the William Morris Agency, whose history the agency dates back more than 125 years, and Endeavor Talent Agency, with Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell as co-chief executives. Silver Lake bought a 31.25% stake for $250 million in 2012, and WME and Silver Lake acquired IMG for $2.4 billion in 2013. In 2017 the parent was renamed Endeavor and WME continued as its talent agency, while agency deals such as Ross Yoon in 2023 extended its literary business. Silver Lake completed its take-private of Endeavor in March 2025, after which the group rebranded as the WME Group.
Founded
2009
HQ
Website
Status
Privately held
Customer focus
B2B
Revenue model
Commission
Revenue
$1.7B (Mar 2016)
Valuation
$5.5B (Mar 2016)
WME Valuation
WME is currently valued at $5.5B, based on its undisclosed-stage round in March 2016. Read the announcement ↗
The $250M round was led by SoftBank Group.
WME valuation by funding round
| Date | Stage | Valuation | Revenue Multiple |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2016 | Undisclosed stage | $5.5B | 3.2x |
WME Revenue
WME's latest recorded revenue is $1.7B, as of its undisclosed-stage round in March 2016. At a $5.5B valuation, that implies a 3.2x revenue multiple.
WME revenue by funding round
| Date | Revenue * | Valuation | Revenue Multiple | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2016 | $1.7B | $5.5B | 3.2x | Undisclosed stage |
* Revenue (or ARR) figures are the values recorded alongside each funding round. Typically run-rate revenue at the time of the deal, or a reported LTM (last 12 months) revenue.
WME Funding History
WME has raised a total of $1.3B across 3 funding rounds.
WME's first fundraising round was a strategic investment round in May 2012. The most recent completed round was a $1B undisclosed-stage round in August 2017.
WME funding rounds
| Date | Stage | Investors | Raised | Valuation | Deal Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2017 | Undisclosed stage | CPP Investments (lead); GIC | $1B | - | WME|IMG, a global leader in entertainment, sports, and fashion (now known as Endeavor), received a US$400 million equity investment from Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments), representing an 8% minority interest in the company. The investment was announced in CPP Investments' Q2 fiscal 2018 highlights for the period ending September 30, 2017, with the transaction occurring around that timeframe, close to the specified February 2017 approximate date though exact timing aligns with late 2017 reporting. Endeavor specializes in talent representation and management, brand strategy, activation and licensing, media production, sales and distribution, and event management. CPP Investments, managing the Canada Pension Plan Fund which totaled $328.2 billion at Q2 fiscal 2018, led this private investment as part of its broader portfolio activities. The deal was also referenced in legal and news announcements from firms like Torys and Silver Lake, confirming the US$400 million commitment. No details on round size beyond this investment, other co-investors, or use of proceeds were specified in the results. No traction metrics such as revenue, ARR, EBITDA, user counts, or financial performance near the investment date appear in the sources. The CPP reports focus on fund-level performance and highlight this as one of several private investments that quarter, including deals in power generation and e-commerce, but provide no company-specific financials for WME|IMG. Market context positions WME|IMG as a key player in the talent and entertainment management sector. No competitive analysis, follow-on developments, or valuation multiples are mentioned in the provided results. |
| Mar 2016 | Undisclosed stage | SoftBank Group (lead) | $250M | $5.5B | WME-IMG is an entertainment, sports, and talent management powerhouse formed through the combination of William Morris Endeavor (WME), a historic talent agency, with IMG, a sports management and event company. In 2013, WME acquired IMG with backing from Silver Lake for $2.4 billion, establishing WME-IMG as a diversified entertainment and sports conglomerate. The company represents major musical talent including The Foo Fighters, John Legend, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, and Frank Ocean, alongside a broad sports client roster spanning professional athletes, sports federations, leagues, and over 200 collegiate institutions. WME-IMG generates significant scale in sports content production, creating over 52,000 hours of sports programming annually and distributing an additional 32,000 hours on behalf of major sports leagues and events. In March 2016, SoftBank Group invested $250 million for a minority stake in WME-IMG, valuing the company at $5.5 billion post-money. Co-CEOs Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell led the company, with the capital intended to support global growth through new investments, acquisitions, and joint ventures across entertainment, sports, and fashion sectors. SoftBank joined existing strategic investor Silver Lake in backing the company's expansion and content development initiatives. |
| May 2012 | Strategic investment | Silver Lake (lead) | - | - | William Morris Endeavor Entertainment and Silver Lake announced on 2 May 2012 a strategic partnership under which Silver Lake acquired a 31 percent non-controlling minority interest in the Beverly Hills-based talent agency. The companies said the investment would help WME accelerate its digital growth strategy and take advantage of the convergence of the technology, media and content industries, with Silver Lake contributing its technology expertise and relationships. WME co-chief executives Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell retained control of the agency. Financial terms were not disclosed by the parties; later press reports put Silver Lake's payment at about USD 200 million. WME was formed in 2009 through the merger of the William Morris Agency, founded in 1898, and the Endeavor Talent Agency, and represented actors, directors, writers, musicians, athletes and other talent across film, television, music, publishing and digital media, earning commissions on its clients' earnings along with packaging fees. The partnership financed WME's expansion into sports and live events, including the 2013 acquisition of IMG, which Silver Lake co-funded, and the 2016 purchase of the UFC, and the business later became Endeavor Group Holdings. Silver Lake invested through Silver Lake Partners III. |
Who has invested in WME?
4 investors have backed WME across its funding rounds, including SoftBank Group, GIC, CPP Investments and Silver Lake.
Lead investors include CPP Investments, SoftBank Group and Silver Lake.
WME Investors
| Investor | HQ | Rounds | Role | First check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lead | May 2012 | ||
| 1 | Lead | Mar 2016 | ||
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Benchmark 350K+ Funding Rounds and Disclosed VC Valuation Multiples
Sign up to see data on 350K+ funding rounds and disclosed revenue and EBITDA valuation multiples, from seed, through growth stage, to pre-IPO.
Start Free TrialAcquisitions by WME
WME has acquired 11 companies to date.
Last acquisition by WME was on November 6th 2025. WME acquired Allegro Talent Group for undisclosed valuation.
Latest Acquisitions by WME
| Description | Allegro Talent Group is a Los Angeles-based boutique agency representing composers and music supervisors for film, television, and advertising. Clients include Emmy-winning composers like Blake Neely for DC Universe series and Hildur Guðnadóttir for Joker. The agency handles sync licensing and placements with studios such as Warner Bros. and Netflix. Founded in 2015, it focuses on visual media placements across genres from orchestral scores to electronic soundtracks. | - | Ross Yoon Agency is a New York-based literary agency representing literary and commercial fiction alongside serious nonfiction on topics including history, science, and current affairs. The agency works with authors and publishers to secure book deals with major houses like Penguin Random House and HarperCollins. | Red 11 Music is a boutique music booking agency based in Nashville, Tennessee, founded and run by chief executive Jon Folk. It books concerts and tours for Americana, country and roots acts, and its roster included Shooter Jennings, Muscadine Bloodline, Turnpike Troubadours, Jason Boland & The Stragglers and Giovannie & The Hired Guns. The agency earned commissions on the live performance fees it negotiated for its artists with promoters and venues. Its team included agent Geoff Turner and a small group of coordinators and assistants. WME acquired the agency in April 2023, and Folk and his staff moved into WME's Nashville office, with Folk joining WME as a partner. | |
| HQ Country | |||||
| HQ City | Los Angeles, CA | Austin, TX | Washington, DC | Nashville | |
| Deal Date | 6 Nov 2025 | 28 Aug 2023 | 2 Jun 2023 | 14 Apr 2023 | |
| Valuation | undisclosed | undisclosed | undisclosed | undisclosed | |
| EV/Revenue | |||||
| EV/EBITDA | |||||
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Investments by WME
WME has invested in 20 companies to date.
Latest investment by WME was on September 9th 2025. WME invested in Palm Tree Crew in their $20M Series B round.
Latest Investments by WME
| Description | Palm Tree Crew is a Miami-based holding company co-founded by music producer Kygo, Myles Shear, and Austin Criden. The entity invests in and operates businesses blending consumer goods, live entertainment, and technology, including music festivals and branded merchandise lines. | isima is a science-driven haircare brand offering clinically tested products for hair growth and scalp health. The company formulates shampoos, serums, and treatments using ingredients like redensyl and capixyl, backed by dermatological studies showing reduced hair loss and increased density. Distributed online, isima targets consumers seeking evidence-based solutions for thinning hair and alopecia. | Khloud is a consumer brand offering high-protein, healthy food alternatives including protein bars, chips, and snacks made from plant-based ingredients. Dubai-based, it targets fitness enthusiasts with products available in supermarkets across the Middle East, featuring flavors like chocolate peanut butter and savory cheese. Launched in 2020, Khloud emphasizes clean labels without artificial sweeteners. | ResortPass is a San Francisco-headquartered platform granting day access to luxury hotel amenities such as pools, private beaches, spas, and fitness centers. The service partners with properties including Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Westin, and Fairmont across the United States and Caribbean. Established in 2016, ResortPass creates revenue opportunities for hotels via local and tourist day visitors. | |
| HQ Country | |||||
| HQ City | Miami, FL | Miami, FL | Los Angeles, CA | New York City, NY | |
| Deal Date | 9 Sep 2025 | 19 Jun 2025 | 22 Apr 2025 | 30 Nov 2022 | |
| Round | Series B | Series A | Series A | Series B | |
| Raised | $20M | $12M | $12M | $26M | |
| Investors | - | northstar.vc; LMDV Capital; Stelac Capital Partners | K5 Global; Serena Ventures; Shrug Capital | K5 Global; Declaration Partners; FJ Labs; 14W; Brian Kelly; Gwyneth Paltrow; Jessica Alba; CRV | |
| Valuation | $215M | undisclosed | undisclosed | $78M | |
| EV/Revenue | |||||
| EV/EBITDA | |||||
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WME Competitors
WME competitors include listed companies like Liberty Media and Ollamani, and private ones like Suning Sports, BSE Global, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and Six Nations Rugby.
| Company | HQ | Status | Revenue | EBITDA | Valuation | Revenue Multiple |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private | - | - | $2.6B | - | ||
| Private | $367M | - | $6B | 16.3x | ||
| Private | - | - | $4B | - | ||
| Private | - | - | $3.4B | - | ||
| Publicly listed | $4.5B | $1.4B | $23B | 5.8x | ||
| Publicly listed | $345M | $35M | $684M | 2.0x |
WME Public Comps
WME is still privately-owned, but its public comps include Outfront Media, JCDecaux, WPP, BlueFocus Communication, Dentsu Group, CyberAgent, CTS Eventim, Sphere Entertainment, MSG Entertainment and Manchester United.
| Last FY | EV/Revenue | EV/EBITDA | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | EBITDA | Last FY | LTM | 2027E | Last FY | LTM | 2027E | |
| $1.8B | $453M | 5.3x | 4.9x | 21.6x | 16.8x | |||
| $4.1B | $1.4B | 2.1x | 1.9x | 6.1x | 9.1x | |||
| $18B | $724M | 0.7x | 1.0x | 17.3x | 6.0x | |||
| $10B | $56M | 0.6x | 0.5x | 104.9x | 85.1x | |||
| $9.1B | ($1.8B) | 0.8x | 0.7x | (3.9x) | 4.9x | |||
| $5.5B | $478M | 0.7x | 0.6x | 8.0x | 6.4x | |||
| $3.4B | $604M | 1.6x | 1.5x | 9.3x | 8.2x | |||
| $1.2B | $451M | 3.5x | 3.2x | 9.5x | 14.4x | |||
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Common questions about WME
| When was WME founded? | WME was founded in 2009. |
| Where is WME headquartered? | WME is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, United States. |
| Is WME publicly listed? | No, WME is a private, VC-backed company. |
| What is WME's valuation? | WME was last valued at $5.5B in its undisclosed-stage round in March 2016. |
| How much funding has WME raised? | WME has raised $1.3B across 3 funding rounds. |
| What was WME's last funding round? | WME's last funding round was a $1B undisclosed-stage round in August 2017, led by CPP Investments. |
| Who are WME's investors? | WME's investors include Silver Lake, SoftBank Group, GIC and CPP Investments. |
| What is WME's revenue? | WME's latest recorded revenue is $1.7B (March 2016). |
| What is WME's revenue multiple? | WME's latest valuation implies a 3.2x revenue multiple ($5.5B valuation on $1.7B of revenue). |
| Which companies are comparable to WME? | Companies comparable to WME include Suning Sports, BSE Global, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, Six Nations Rugby, Liberty Media and Ollamani. |
| How many companies has WME acquired? | WME has acquired 11 companies, including Allegro Talent Group, True Grit Talent Agency, Ross Yoon Agency, Red 11 Music and BDA Sports Management. |
| What was the largest acquisition by WME? | The $2.4B acquisition of IMG Worldwide in December 2013 is the largest acquisition WME has made to date. |
| How many companies has WME invested in? | WME has invested in 20 companies, including Palm Tree Crew, isima, Khloud, ResortPass, Newman Executive Talent Acquisition Partnerships, Maude, Influential and HOOKED. |
| What was WME's last investment? | In September 2025, WME invested in Palm Tree Crew's $20M Series B. |
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