With a 2024 net worth estimated at over $500 million, Dana White has cemented his place as one of the wealthiest figures in sports entertainment. This article will walk you through his early life, rise to the UFC presidency, and the major deals that boosted his fortune, including his role in turning UFC into a global phenomenon. White’s success stems not just from his business acumen but from his ability to reshape an entire industry.
Curious to know more about Dana White’s incredible career and how he built his wealth? We’ll break down the key moments in his journey, from humble beginnings to becoming a sports mogul. So, without further ado, let’s explore the life and achievements of one of the most influential figures in combat sports.
Who is Dana White?
Dana White is an American businessman born on July 28, 1969. He is best known as the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a major mixed martial arts organization. Under his leadership, the UFC has grown into a global sports phenomenon. White is also the owner of Power Slap, a slap-fighting promotion.
Here’s a table summarizing Dana White’s net worth, biography, and career overview:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth (2024) | Estimated at $500 million |
| Biography | Born on July 28, 1969, in Manchester, Connecticut, USA. |
| Career Overview | Power Slap Owner: Founded a slap-fighting promotion. |
| Power Slap Owner: Founded a slap fighting promotion. | |
| Business Ventures: Involved in various other business ventures. | |
| Spouse | Anne Stella (m. 1996) |
| Children | 3 |
Dana White’s Net Worth and Salary in 2024
Dana White is a prominent American businessman and sports promoter with an impressive net worth of $500 million. He is widely recognized as the President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a leading mixed martial arts (MMA) organization.
Dana White’s significant impact on the UFC began when he sold the organization to William Morris Endeavor (WME) for $4 billion in 2016. At that time, White owned 9% of the UFC. Although he had previously sold the majority of the UFC to the Fertitta brothers, his share of the sale earned him about $360 million after taxes.
Under White’s leadership, the UFC transformed from a struggling, niche sport into a global MMA powerhouse. He played a crucial role in popularizing MMA around the world, expanding the UFC into new international markets, and securing high-profile television and sponsorship deals. This growth has greatly increased the UFC’s fan base and revenue.
White’s innovative marketing strategies and his focus on promoting top fighters have been key to making MMA a mainstream sport. He has organized some of the biggest fights in MMA history, helping to establish the UFC as the leading organization in the sport. His efforts have been vital in both advancing the professionalization of MMA and enhancing its reputation.
In addition to his success with the UFC, Dana White has ventured into other areas, such as launching Zuffa Boxing and engaging in various philanthropic activities. Known for his outspoken style and hands-on approach, White continues to be a major figure in the sports industry, making headlines for his bold decisions and significant contributions to the growth of MMA.
Early Life
Dana White, born Dana Frederick White Jr. on July 28, 1969, in Manchester, Connecticut, is a well-known sports promoter and businessman. He is the son of June and Dana White and grew up with his sister, Kelly, primarily under the care of their mother and grandparents. During his childhood, White frequently moved between Las Vegas and Maine.
White developed a strong interest in sports from a young age, particularly in boxing. He is also a devoted fan of the Boston Red Sox, his favorite baseball team. After completing his high school education at Hermon High School in Maine in 1987, White continued to pursue his passion for sports, which would eventually lead him to his influential role in the UFC.
Early Career
Dana White attended the University of Massachusetts but did not complete his degree. During his time there, he started a boxing program for at-risk children in the inner city, demonstrating his commitment to using sports to make a positive impact. To support himself, he also worked as an aerobics instructor.
In 1992, White moved to Las Vegas and founded Dana White Enterprises. This move marked the beginning of his significant involvement in the fight world. He began managing notable fighters such as Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz and expanded his expertise into Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and Muay Thai—disciplines that would later become central to the UFC’s success.
White’s connections also played a crucial role in his career. He reconnected with Lorenzo Fertitta, a former high school classmate who had become a successful executive at Station Casinos, during a mid-’90s wedding. They shared a passion for boxing and discussed future collaborations, which would eventually lead to a pivotal partnership in the UFC’s growth.
The UFC
While managing fighters, Dana White discovered that Semaphore Entertainment Group, the parent company of the UFC, was facing severe financial troubles. Recognizing the potential of the UFC despite its struggling state, White approached his childhood friend, Lorenzo Fertitta, with an offer to buy the organization.
Lorenzo Fertitta saw the opportunity and, in 2001, along with his older brother Frank, purchased an 81% stake in the UFC for $2 million. They soon appointed White as the president of the UFC. Under White’s leadership, the UFC transformed from an organization often seen as controversial and outlawed into a global sports phenomenon.
White has remained the UFC president even after the sale. His efforts have significantly increased the sport’s popularity, turning it into a multi-billion dollar industry. In May 2017, the UFC announced White as the host of “Dana White’s Contender Series,” a show available exclusively on UFC Fight Pass. The show highlights emerging fighters and provides them a chance to advance to the UFC.
On March 18, 2019, White signed a new seven-year contract with ESPN to continue his role as UFC president. In January 2023, he launched a slap-fighting competition called “Power Slap,” although it was later canceled by TBS.
UFC Sale to WME
Before the UFC was sold, Dana White held a 9% stake in the company. In May 2016, reports indicated that the Fertitta brothers were negotiating a potential sale of the UFC for up to $6 billion. At that price, White’s 9% share would have been valued at approximately $540 million. However, by July 2016, the UFC was sold to the talent agency WME-IMG for $4 billion. This sale resulted in Dana White receiving about $360 million before taxes.
In 2023, Endeavor, which had previously been known as WME-IMG, launched a new public company that combined WWE and UFC. Despite these changes, Dana White continued to serve as the president of the UFC.
Controversies
In 2009, Dana White-faced backlash for using derogatory language against reporter Loretta Hunt after she published a report that upset him. He used anti-gay slurs when referring to her sources. The organization GLAAD called for White and the UFC to apologize for these remarks, and White eventually issued an apology.
In December 2023, White was involved in a public incident at a New Year’s Eve party in a nightclub in Mexico. A video captured an argument between White and his wife, Anne, during which Anne slapped him, and he responded by slapping her back. Both White and Anne took responsibility for the incident, attributing their actions to alcohol, and publicly apologized for their behavior.
Personal Life
Dana White has been married to his wife, Anne, since 1996. They first met in eighth grade and have built a family together with two sons, Aidan and Dana III, and a daughter named Savannah. White is known for keeping his family life private.
In May 2012, White revealed that he had been diagnosed with Ménière’s disease, a neurological disorder he attributed partly to a youth fight. In 2022, he also faced health challenges with extremely high triglyceride levels and other irregularities. He has since adopted a keto diet, which has helped improve his sleep apnea and alleviate leg pain.
White has been a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump. He spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention and continued to support Trump during the 2020 reelection campaign, highlighting Trump’s early support for the UFC and his role in hosting one of the organization’s major events at his property.
In addition to his support for Trump, White has been involved in philanthropy. In 2010, he donated $50,000 for a liver transplant for Tuptim Jadnooleum, the daughter of one of his Muay Thai instructors. He also contributed $100,000 in 2011 for renovations at his former high school.
Real Estate
In 2006, Dana White purchased a mansion in Pine Island Court, Las Vegas, for $1.95 million. Expanding his real estate holdings, he acquired three additional mansions in the same area between October 2016 and June 2017, spending approximately $6.2 million in total. The original houses were demolished, and White and his family now reside in a luxurious mega-mansion in Las Vegas.
Accolades
Dana White has received several prestigious awards throughout his career. In 2009, he was honored with the Nevada Sportsman of the Year award. Additionally, he earned 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 every year. In 2019, he was also awarded the Patriot Award by the Armed Forces Foundation.
