Ari Emanuel's forthcoming memoir, "Roll the Calls," co-written with J.R. Moehringer, offers a candid look into his aggressive business tactics and the "rage first, ask questions later" philosophy that has defined his career. The book reveals how Emanuel, now 64, rose from a dyslexic child bullied in school to become a superagent and eventually the CEO of TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of UFC and WWE.
One striking revelation from the memoir is the strategic, and costly, takeover of the William Morris Agency in 2009, which led to the creation of William Morris Endeavor (WME). Emanuel details a double-cross that involved secretly plotting the removal of William Morris CEO Jim Wiatt and COO Irv Weintraub. He promised Weintraub reinstatement after Wiatt's departure, a promise he never intended to keep. This maneuver, which Emanuel estimates cost approximately $44 million to buy out both executives, was, according to him, always part of the plan to acquire one of Hollywood’s most storied institutions.
The book portrays Emanuel as a relentless dealmaker known for making up to 300 calls a day and his confrontational style. He has represented high-profile figures like Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson and, more recently, has focused on building a live events business by acquiring sporting events and music and art festivals. Currently, he is in the process of acquiring the Miami and Madrid Open tennis tournaments in a deal valued at over $1 billion. Emanuel's drive is attributed to a desire to protect clients and himself, fueled by an ambition to turn dreams into reality for his clients, navigating negotiations and fighting against studios or producers. He is supported in his new venture by RedBird Capital Partners and Apollo Global Management, with RedBird's managing partner Gerry Cardinale noting Emanuel's belief that increased free time due to technology and AI will boost demand for live entertainment. Mark Shapiro, president of TKO and WME Group, plans to invest in Emanuel’s new events company, emphasizing Emanuel's fierce advocacy for clients while still ensuring some benefit for the opposing side, even if minimal.
Emanuel's memoir also touches on personal aspects, including his complicated relationships with his brothers, Zeke and Rahm, and his past interactions with prominent figures like Oprah, Taylor Swift, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. He recounts being hired by Oprah, fired by Taylor Swift, and attempting to sign Obama. He also details resigning as Trump's agent after the 2016 election, stating he "didn't vote for him." Despite the often-confrontational tone and "F-bomb-laden" language, the book offers a compelling narrative of his journey, from founding Endeavor above an Islands restaurant to becoming a mogul of a publicly traded company. While some suggest he has softened with age, especially after the challenges of expanding Endeavor, the core message of the book confirms that his "rage" is a fundamental driver of his success and relentless pursuit of power and wealth.
