UFC boss Dana White explains how Tom Brady conversation drove $20,000,000 idea for Las Vegas Sphere event
Tom Brady has his fingerprints all over the game of football. However, the seven-time Super Bowl winner also played a part in UFC’s upcoming event at the Sphere in Las Vegas. UFC president Dana White recently shared how Brady’s indirect actions caused him to spend $20 million for UFC 306.
In an interview with Sportico published on Tuesday, while promoting the upcoming card headlined by Sean O’Malley, the UFC boss opened up on his first visit to the Sphere. This visit came through due to Tom Brady and planted the idea of an event in the arena.
“Yeah, so that night I was actually in Dolan’s (Sphere Entertainment CEO James Dolan) box,” said White. “What happened was, Tom Brady had hit me up and said, ‘Hey, I’m coming to town for U2. Do you want to go with me?’ and I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll go.’ So, we end up going, and we’re in Dolan’s box, and [Dolan shows] me around the place during the event.”
“I’m sitting there watching this thing, and I’m blown away by the Sphere. I called my head of production, Craig Borsari, and I said, I don’t know what you’re doing next weekend but cancel it. We’re going to do an event at the Sphere, and I want you to bring the team down here.”
Dana White also said that in planning for the event, he exceeded his initial budget of $8 million. The final budget for UFC 306 is $20 million.
Dana White predicts financial success for Tom Brady
In June, White appeared on Shannon Sharpe’s "Club Shay Shay" podcast. During the episode, White credited Tom Brady for not changing his mindset despite making a ton of money over his career.
“He’s looked at as the GOAT and that guy will continue to print money for the rest of his life,” White said about Brady.
The former New England Patriots QB remains busy with different ventures after retiring from the NFL. Apart from multiple sports-related businesses, Brady started his broadcasting career with Fox Sports after signing a 10-year $375 million contract. He is also in line to become a minority stakeholder of the Las Vegas Raiders.