Dana White Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Dana White’s Net Worth and Salary?

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

Dana owned 9% of the UFC when it was sold to William Morris Endeavor (WME) for $4 billion in 2016. Prior to this, he had sold the majority stake of the organization to the Fertitta brothers, noted billionaire casino magnates. His share from the sale, after taxes, amounted to approximately $360 million.

White revolutionized the UFC under his leadership, turning it from a struggling niche entity into a global powerhouse in mixed martial arts (MMA), and is credited with enhancing the sport’s popularity on a worldwide scale. His era has marked the UFC’s growth into international markets, coupled with lucrative television agreements and sponsorship deals, leading to heightened fan engagement and increased revenue.

He has played a crucial role in mainstreaming MMA through aggressive marketing strategies and the cultivation of renowned fighters. His efforts in organizing some of the most notable fights in the sport’s history have solidified the UFC’s standing as the leading organization in MMA. Moreover, White’s influence has significantly altered perceptions of MMA, contributing to its professionalization and regulation.

In addition to his UFC achievements, White has ventured into entrepreneurship with the establishment of Zuffa Boxing and has participated in numerous philanthropic activities. His dynamic personality and active involvement in the industry often keep him in the spotlight, making headlines with his bold choices and impact on the growth of MMA.

Early Life

Born on July 28th, 1969, in Manchester, Connecticut, Dana Frederick White Jr. is the son of June and Dana White. Raised primarily by his mother and grandparents alongside his sister, Kelly, Dana frequently traveled between Las Vegas and Maine during his formative years. He immersed himself in sports, particularly boxing, and remains an avid supporter of the Boston Red Sox. White completed his education at Hermon High School in Maine, graduating in 1987.

Early Career

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

During this period, he began managing fighters such as Chuck Lidell and Tito Ortiz, delving into various combat styles that included Mixed Martial Arts and Muay Thai—elements that would later become integral to the UFC’s identity.

Fortunately for White, he reconnected with Lorenzo Fertitta, a former high school classmate who had established himself as an executive with Station Casinos. Their reunion at a wedding in the mid-’90s rekindled their shared enthusiasm for boxing and their aspirations of collaborating in the future.

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The UFC

While managing fighters, disputes with the UFC emerged for White. Upon investigating Semaphore Entertainment Group’s finances, the parent of the UFC, he discovered they were nearing bankruptcy. Following this revelation, White reached out to his childhood friend, Lorenzo Fertitta, to propose a purchase offer.

Recognizing the potential profits, Lorenzo quickly struck a deal to acquire the UFC. He also brought his brother Frank into the partnership. In 2001, the Fertitta brothers invested $2 million for an 81% ownership share in the UFC. Shortly after, they appointed White as president. Since the acquisition, White and his team have transformed the organization, once regarded as barbaric and illegal, into a global sensation.

Even after the company’s sale, White has maintained his role as president. Under his direction, the sport’s popularity has soared, evolving into a multi-billion dollar industry. In May 2017, the UFC announced that White would host a series called “Dana White’s Contender Series,” exclusively available on UFC’s digital streaming service, UFC Fight Pass. This series highlights up-and-coming fighters, offering them a platform to demonstrate their abilities in hopes of joining the UFC. On March 18, 2019, White confirmed a new contract with ESPN, extending his tenure as UFC president for another seven years.

In January 2023, he launched his slap-fighting initiative, “Power Slap.” However, it was reportedly canceled by TBS.

UFC Sale to WME

Before the sale, Dana held 9% ownership in the UFC. Reports in May 2016 indicated that the Fertitta brothers were close to selling the UFC for approximately $6 billion. At that valuation, Dana’s 9% equity would have been worth about $540 million. It was confirmed in July 2016 that the UFC had been sold to talent agency WME-IMG for $4 billion, resulting in a pre-tax amount of $360 million for Dana.

In 2023, Endeavor (formerly WME-IMG) created a new public company merging WWE with UFC, with White continuing his role as UFC president.

Controversies

In 2009, White directed derogatory and explicit remarks towards reporter Loretta Hunt concerning a report she published, which displeased him. He used anti-gay slurs when discussing elements of her articles. GLAAD responded by calling for…
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White subsequently apologized for the anti-gay slur.

During a New Year’s Eve party in 2023 at a nightclub in Mexico, White was involved in a dispute with his wife. Following an altercation in which Anne slapped him, he retaliated by slapping her back. This incident was recorded on camera. Both individuals accepted accountability, attributing their behavior to alcohol, and issued apologies.

Personal Life

Since 1996, White has been married to Anne, whom he met in the eighth grade. The couple has three children: two sons, Aidan and Dana III, along with a daughter named Savannah. White values his privacy regarding his family life.

In May 2012, White revealed his diagnosis of Ménière’s disease, a neurological disorder, which he suggested was largely triggered by a fight from his youth. In 2022, he was informed that he had extremely high triglyceride levels along with other irregularities. He mentioned that adopting a keto diet has helped resolve his sleep apnea and reduced his leg pain.

White has been a staunch supporter of Donald Trump during his initial presidential campaign, even addressing the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. He continued to endorse Trump during the 2020 reelection campaign by speaking at rallies and in interviews, highlighting Trump’s early backing of the UFC, which included hosting one of the league’s first major events at his properties.

In 2010, White contributed $50,000 for the liver transplant of Tuptim Jadnooleum, the daughter of one of Tiger Muay Thai’s instructors. Additionally, in 2011, he donated $100,000 to his former high school for renovations.

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 at a combined cost of around $6.2 million. Demolition permits were granted for these properties, enabling White and his family to reside in a lavish 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 at the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards for nine consecutive years. From 2008 to 2019, White was recognized as Leading Man of the Year at the World MMA Awards. The Armed Forces Foundation acknowledged him with the Patriot Award in 2019.