Ari Emanuel, Mark Shapiro and Bill Duffy to Buy WME’s Basketball Representation Business

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WME plans to sell off its basketball management division, and could also consider letting go of its baseball management division, as they manage potential conflicts of interest following Silver Lake’s recent acquisition of the company, which was finalized last month.

WME plans to establish a separate business entity for its basketball division, WME Basketball, which will be fully owned by Ari Emanuel (WME Group executive chairman), Mark Shapiro (ME Group president and managing partner) and Bill Duffy (whom WME acquired BDA Sports Management from in 2023). In this new company, Carlos Fleming, Bret Just, and Karen Brodkin will also be part of the team.

As a gamer, I find myself in an unusual position due to my personal interests. My family office has invested in the Dell buyout, but at the same time, I’m also a part-owner of the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs through Dell. This dual involvement could potentially create a conflict of interest, especially when it comes to business decisions that might affect both entities.

WME represents some of the most prominent figures in basketball, such as Luka Doncic from the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m keeping tabs on the latest developments in the world of sports representation, specifically within baseball. My agency, WME, is currently having discussions with the Major League Baseball Player’s Association about our future steps in the baseball industry. Interestingly, Silver Lake holds Diamond Baseball Holdings, which owns a significant number (43 to be precise) of minor league teams scattered across the nation. In my roster, I’m fortunate enough to represent up-and-coming stars like Anthony Volpe from the New York Yankees and Ian Happ from the Chicago Cubs. It’s an exciting time as we navigate these talks and shape the future of baseball representation.

There’s a chance that WME might consider selling off its baseball management division, or seek alternative solutions for Diamond Baseball Holdings. However, the specific actions to be taken have yet to be decided.

Previously, WME parted ways with its NFL representation unit, which it later sold to Patrick Whitesell. Prior to the private acquisition deal, Whitesell held the position of executive chairman at Endeavor. This sale was instigated by Silver Lake’s ownership in the Las Vegas Raiders football team.

WME Sports continues to function within the agency, concentrating specifically on celebrities in the fields of tennis, golf, Olympic and extreme sports, sports programming, and broadcasting industries.

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2025-04-30 02:24