UFC Announces Andrew Schleimer to Become New Chief Financial Officer Headed Into 2017
As 2016 draws to a close and we prepare for the WME-IMG era of the
Ultimate Fighting Championship, the UFC has announced the
appointment of its new Chief Financial Officer Andrew
Schleimer.
The promotion announced the news Monday.
Schleimer will take over as CFO replacing outgoing Nakisa Bidarian.
Bidarian was promoted to CFO on Jan. 4 of this year after
previously serving as the UFC’s Vice President of Strategy and
Business Ventures during his five-year tenure with the company.
Bidarian will step down in late December and will join now-previous
UFC owners Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta III in developing a direct
investment platform for the family.
Bidarian, a Toronto native, came on board with the UFC in October 2011 after working for the Mubadala Development Company, the sovereign wealth fund of the government of Abu Dhabi, after Abu Dhabi-based Flash Entertainment bought a 10 percent stake in the promotion in January 2010. Since his appointment to CFO, Bidarian was instrumental in developing and finalizing the Fertittas sale of the UFC for $4 billion to WME-IMG.
Schleimer joins the UFC after serving as Executive Vice President and CFO of Digital Turbine Inc. and overseeing the company’s 2015 merger with Appia. A Cornell graduate, he was previously an investment banker for UBS before serving as EVP of Strategic Development for Dick Clark Productions, then taking on the role of EVP of Strategic Development and In-Park Services for Six Flags.
“We’re excited to welcome Andrew to the family as we enter this new chapter of our history,” said UFC President Dana White. “Andrew brings a strong finance and operations background to our team -- experience that will prove invaluable as we take UFC to the next level.”
“Andrew played a pivotal role in UFC’s transition to new ownership this fall, and will continue to provide strong financial leadership among a talented and dedicated management team,” added Ari Emanuel, WME-IMG co-CEO.
The promotion announced the news Monday.
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Bidarian, a Toronto native, came on board with the UFC in October 2011 after working for the Mubadala Development Company, the sovereign wealth fund of the government of Abu Dhabi, after Abu Dhabi-based Flash Entertainment bought a 10 percent stake in the promotion in January 2010. Since his appointment to CFO, Bidarian was instrumental in developing and finalizing the Fertittas sale of the UFC for $4 billion to WME-IMG.
Schleimer joins the UFC after serving as Executive Vice President and CFO of Digital Turbine Inc. and overseeing the company’s 2015 merger with Appia. A Cornell graduate, he was previously an investment banker for UBS before serving as EVP of Strategic Development for Dick Clark Productions, then taking on the role of EVP of Strategic Development and In-Park Services for Six Flags.
“We’re excited to welcome Andrew to the family as we enter this new chapter of our history,” said UFC President Dana White. “Andrew brings a strong finance and operations background to our team -- experience that will prove invaluable as we take UFC to the next level.”
“Andrew played a pivotal role in UFC’s transition to new ownership this fall, and will continue to provide strong financial leadership among a talented and dedicated management team,” added Ari Emanuel, WME-IMG co-CEO.
