Donald Trump is selling his share of the Miss Universe pageant, and Hollywood überagent Ari Emanuel is among the top bidders, Page Six can exclusively reveal.
Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell’s WME/IMG along with private equity firm Silver Lake, which backed WME’s purchase of IMG in 2013, are said to be one of the favored bidders for Miss Universe, according to a source.
Trump is selling his share of the Miss Universe organization — which is jointly owned by the mogul and NBCUniversal — after the furor over his comments about Mexico at his June presidential announcement.
NBC distanced itself from Trump and refused to air the pageant after his remarks, and it was eventually shown by Reelz on July 12.
A source familiar with the talks said: “Donald Trump is looking to sell his 49 percent share of Miss Universe. Ari Emanuel and IMG are interested in buying, although there are other bidders. The deal isn’t done yet.
“This comes after NBC decided to sever its business ties with Trump. They cannot continue as partners, and everyone agrees it is the best move to ensure the continuation of the pageant.”
Reelz CEO Stan E. Hubbard had said earlier this month that the pageant’s parent organization would have to change hands. “I do believe that there will probably have to be an ownership change in that organization,” he said at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. “I don’t see Trump going away easily for NBC. I don’t know how it’s going to play out.”
The purchase would make sense for Emanuel, as WME/IMG already had a licensing relationship with Miss Universe, which was expanded in 2011 to include a branded lifestyle merchandising program. And, according to an insider, “Emanuel and WME/IMG could modernize the pageant and make it into an even bigger franchise. It could easily live within IMG, which produces New York Fashion Week and has successful fashion and modeling divisions.” Reps for WME/IMG and Trump declined to comment Tuesday night.