Dana White Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Dana White’s Net Worth and Salary: What Is It?

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

In 2016, when UFC was sold to William Morris Endeavor (WME) for $4 billion, Dana owned 9% of the organization after having sold the majority to the billionaire Fertitta brothers. Following the sale and after taxes, Dana received approximately $360 million from his 9% stake.

Under White’s leadership, the UFC evolved from a struggling niche organization into a global powerhouse in mixed martial arts (MMA), earning accolades for popularizing the sport across the globe. His time at the helm has led to the UFC’s successful expansion into international territories, the securing of lucrative television and sponsorship deals, and a remarkable growth in both revenue and fan engagement.

Thanks to White’s aggressive marketing techniques and the cultivation of star fighters, MMA has gained recognition as a mainstream sport. He has played a key role in orchestrating some of the most prominent fights within the sport’s history, solidifying the UFC’s position as the leading organization in MMA. Moreover, White’s initiatives have significantly changed public perception of MMA and have been vital in the sport’s professionalization and regulation.

Beyond his accomplishments with the UFC, White has launched entrepreneurial projects like Zuffa Boxing, alongside participating in various philanthropic ventures. Known for his candid demeanor and proactive involvement, he has become a notable figure in the sports industry, frequently attracting attention for his daring decisions and impact on MMA’s growth.

Early Life

Born Dana Frederick White Jr. on July 28, 1969, in Manchester, Connecticut, Dana is the son of June and Dana White. Raised primarily by his mother and grandparents, Dana and his sister, Kelly, spent much of their youth traveling between Las Vegas and Maine. He immersed himself in sports during childhood, especially boxing, and maintains a lifelong loyalty to the Boston Red Sox baseball team. Dana completed his studies at Hermon High School in Maine in 1987.

Early Career

Although he attended the University of Massachusetts, White did not complete his studies. While there, he initiated a boxing program aimed at at-risk youth in urban areas and worked as an aerobics instructor to support himself. Eventually, he moved permanently to Las Vegas, where he founded Dana White Enterprises in 1992.

During this period, he started managing fighters like Chuck Lidell and Tito Ortiz, and expanded his knowledge into other fighting styles such as Mixed Martial Arts and Muay Thai, which would later define the UFC.

Serendipitously for White, he reconnected with Lorenzo Fertitta, a former classmate who had risen as an executive with Station Casinos, at a wedding in the mid-’90s. They forged a bond over their mutual passion for boxing and expressed their interest in collaborating in the future.

The UFC

While managing fighters, disputes arose for White with the UFC. After delving into the finances of Semaphore Entertainment Group, the UFC’s parent company, he discovered they were facing bankruptcy. Upon hearing this, White reached out to his childhood friend Lorenzo Fertitta to discuss making a purchase offer.

Lorenzo immediately recognized the potential for profit and struck a deal to acquire the UFC. He also invited his older brother Frank to join in on the venture. Ultimately, the Fertitta brothers invested $2 million in 2001 for an 81% ownership stake in the UFC. Soon after, they designated White as president. Since taking over, White and his team have transformed the organization from being viewed as barbaric and illegal into a global sensation.

Even after the company’s sale, White has persisted in his role as president. His leadership has significantly boosted the sport’s popularity, establishing it as a multi-billion dollar enterprise. In May 2017, it was announced that White would host a show titled “Dana White’s Contender Series.” This show, available exclusively through UFC’s streaming service, UFC Fight Pass, showcases emerging fighters, providing them a platform to demonstrate their skills for a chance to join the UFC. On March 18, 2019, White announced he had signed a new contract with ESPN, ensuring his position as UFC president for another seven years.

In January 2023, White introduced his slap-fighting competition “Power Slap.” Reports indicate that TBS subsequently canceled the show.

UFC Sale to WME

Before the sale, Dana held a 9% stake in the UFC. In May 2016, reports emerged indicating that the Fertitta brothers were in advanced discussions to sell the UFC for up to $6 billion. At that valuation, Dana’s 9% stake would be valued at $540 million. By July 2016, it was confirmed that the UFC was sold to talent agency WME-IMG for $4 billion, translating to $360 million for Dana before taxes.

In 2023, Endeavor (formerly WME-IMG) launched a new public company that merged WWE with UFC, and White continued his role as the president of UFC.

Controversies

In 2009, during a confrontation with reporter Loretta Hunt about an unfavorable report, White resorted to using derogatory and explicit language. Additionally, he employed anti-gay slurs when referencing sources in her articles. GLAAD urged for…

After making an anti-gay slur, White and the UFC issued an apology, which he later fulfilled.

During a New Year’s Eve celebration at a nightclub in Mexico in 2023, White was observed engaging in a heated argument with his wife. After Anne slapped him, he retaliated by slapping her back, with the entire incident captured on camera. They both accepted responsibility for their actions, attributing the incident to alcohol consumption, and offered apologies.

Personal Life

Since 1996, White has been married to Anne, whom he met in eighth grade. The couple has three children: two sons, Aidan and Dana III, and a daughter named Savannah. He tends to keep his family matters confidential.

In May 2012, White revealed his diagnosis of Ménière’s disease, a neurological disorder he believes was largely triggered by a fight during his youth. In 2022, he learned of extremely high triglyceride levels and other health irregularities. He has since followed a keto diet that helped improve his sleep apnea and reduce leg pain.

White has been a strong supporter of Donald Trump during his initial presidential campaign, even speaking at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. Again supporting Trump during his 2020 reelection campaign, White spoke at rallies and interviews, emphasizing Trump’s early support for the UFC, which allowed one of its first major events to be hosted at his property.

In 2010, White contributed $50,000 for liver transplant needs of Tuptim Jadnooleum, the daughter of a Tiger Muay Thai instructor. In 2011, he donated $100,000 to his former high school for renovation efforts.

Real Estate

In 2006, Dana White purchased a mansion in Pine Island Court, Las Vegas, for $1.95 million. Following that, he acquired three additional mansions in the same vicinity between October 2016 and June 2017, costing around $6.2 million. After receiving permits for demolition, White and his family now reside in an extravagant Las Vegas mega-mansion.

Accolades

In 2009, White was honored with the Nevada Sportsman of the Year award. He achieved the title of Promoter of the Year consistently for nine years at the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards. From 2008 to 2019, he was recognized as Leading Man of the Year at the World MMA Awards. The Patriot Award was presented to him by the Armed Forces Foundation in 2019.