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Ari Emanuel’s new company Mari is acquiring IMG’s Arts & Entertainment and Action Sports events portfolios from Endeavor Group, the latest in a string of announcements since the holding company launched last month. Financial terms weren’t disclosed. Mari, which is focused on global events and experiences, said the acquisition expands its international footprint with festivals, touring exhibitions, family programming and athletic events including signature properties Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, which welcomes more than three million visitors each holiday season, and the global Taste Festivals culinary series, headlined by the Taste of London. The sports portfolio includes such competitions as the U.S. Open of Surfing in Southern California and the Nike Melbourne Marathon, expanding Mari’s presence in mass-participation athletic events. Emanuel, Mari’s founder and principal investor, said the company is looking “to build a global portfolio of cultural, lifestyle, and sporting events that connect millions of people through live experiences” as it grows its presence across Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. Previous deals include Frieze, Barrett-Jackson, TodayTix Group and a tennis portfolio featuring the Miami Open presented by Itaú, the Mutua Madrid Open and other leading ATP and WTA tournaments. Emanuel was formerly CEO of Endeavor Group Holdings, which was taken private by giant investment firm and major shareholder Silver Lake last spring. The assets include WME Group, with Emanuel as executive chair, and a controlling stake in TKO Group, parent of UFC and WWE, where he is CEO.
