Nakisa Bidarian Biography: Wikipedia, Age, Wife, Birthday, Net Worth, Brother, Career, MVP, UFC, Family, Instagram
Nakisa Bidarian Biography
Nakisa Bidarian is a prominent sports and media entrepreneur with a diverse background in finance and sports management. He co-founded Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) with Jake Paul in 2021, aiming to provide fighters with greater creative control and to revolutionize boxing promotion.
Bidarian served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) from 2011 to 2016. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in the UFC’s sale to Endeavor, Silver Lake, and KKR.
After leaving the UFC, he co-founded Fertitta Capital and served as its CEO, focusing on investments in sports, media, and entertainment sectors. In 2019, Bidarian founded BAVAFA Sports, a sports, media, and talent advisory and investment firm.
Nakisa Bidarian Age
Nakisa Bidarian was born on January 12, 1978, making him 46 years old as of 2024.
Nakisa Bidarian Nationality
Nakisa Bidarian holds Canadian nationality
Nakisa Bidarian Early Life and Family Background
Nakisa Bidarian was born in Iran in the late 1970s. His family fled to London shortly after his birth due to the Iranian Revolution but returned to Iran when he was three.
As the Iran-Iraq War escalated, the government began drafting boys aged 12 to 17. To avoid this, his older brother moved to the United States, and Nakisa, along with his mother, Faranak Ashtarieh, fled through Turkey and Germany before settling in Chicago.
They later moved to various U.S. cities, including Columbus, Los Angeles, Cincinnati, and Washington, D.C., before relocating to Toronto in the late 1980s.
Nakisa’s parents separated during his childhood. He was raised primarily by his mother, Faranak, alongside his older brother. At 14, Nakisa moved to Dubai to live with his father but returned to Canada after a few months. By grade 12, he had attended ten different schools, leading to a realization of the need to focus on his studies. He committed to his education, performed well, and was accepted into college in Canada.
Nakisa Bidarian Educational Background
Nakisa Bidarian has a strong educational background that laid the foundation for his career in finance and sports management. He attended the University of Waterloo in Canada, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Following his undergraduate studies, Bidarian pursued higher education at Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business, where he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Nakisa Bidarian Career
Nakisa Bidarian has established himself as a prominent figure in the sports and entertainment industries, leveraging his extensive experience in finance and strategic management. His career trajectory includes significant roles in major organizations, as well as entrepreneurial ventures that have influenced the landscape of sports promotion and investment.
Consulting and Investment Banking
Bidarian began his professional journey as a consultant at Accenture in 2001, where he honed his skills in strategic analysis and business optimization. In August 2006, he transitioned into investment banking, joining Citigroup as a Mergers & Acquisitions Investment Banker. His tenure at Citigroup was brief, as he moved to Morgan Stanley in March 2007, continuing his focus on investment banking. These roles provided him with a solid foundation in financial structuring and corporate transactions.
Mubadala Development Company
In 2007, Bidarian relocated to the United Arab Emirates to join Mubadala Development Company, a sovereign wealth fund of the Abu Dhabi government. As the Senior Vice President of Acquisitions, he was responsible for overseeing international real estate and hospitality investments, managing assets, and leading acquisition strategies. This position allowed him to develop a global perspective on investment opportunities and asset management.
Fertitta Entertainment
After his tenure at Mubadala, Bidarian joined Fertitta Entertainment as the Senior Vice President of Investment & Strategy. In this role, he played a key part in shaping the company’s financial direction and strategic initiatives, focusing on business growth and development within the entertainment sector. His work at Fertitta Entertainment set the stage for his subsequent involvement with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
In October 2011, Bidarian joined the UFC as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and later served as the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO). During his tenure, he was instrumental in the organization’s financial planning and strategic growth, culminating in the UFC’s sale to Endeavor, Silver Lake, and KKR in July 2016. This transaction, valued at approximately $4 billion, was one of the largest in sports history at the time.
Fertitta Capital
Following his departure from the UFC, Bidarian co-founded Fertitta Capital in 2017, serving as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The firm focused on investments in sports, media, and entertainment sectors, leveraging Bidarian’s extensive industry experience. Under his leadership, Fertitta Capital made significant investments in companies such as Action Network, Bayes Esports, FloSports, Hitco Entertainment, Moonbug Entertainment, and SportLogiq.
BAVAFA Sports
In mid-2019, Bidarian founded BAVAFA Sports, a sports, media, and talent advisory and investment firm. The company represents high-profile clients, including Jake Paul, Amanda Serrano, Alex Wassabi, and Ashton “H2O” Sylve. BAVAFA Sports focuses on providing strategic guidance and investment opportunities within the sports and entertainment industries, emphasizing the intersection of athletics and media.
Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)
In January 2021, Bidarian co-founded Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) with Jake Paul. MVP aims to revolutionize boxing promotion by offering fighters greater creative control and fostering innovative marketing strategies. The partnership has been instrumental in elevating Jake Paul’s boxing career and reshaping the dynamics of sports promotion.
Betr Holdings, Inc.
Expanding his entrepreneurial ventures, Bidarian co-founded Betr Holdings, Inc., a company focused on sports betting and media. Betr aims to innovate the sports betting industry by integrating media content and betting platforms, providing a unique experience for users. Bidarian’s role in Betr highlights his commitment to leveraging technology and media to enhance sports entertainment.
Anti Fund Investment Fund, LLC
Bidarian serves as an Operating Partner at Anti Fund Investment Fund, LLC, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups across various industries. His involvement includes providing strategic guidance and leveraging his extensive network to support portfolio companies. This role underscores his dedication to fostering innovation and supporting emerging businesses.
Fiume Capital Corp
As the founder of Fiume Capital Corp, Bidarian continues to explore investment opportunities in the sports, media, and entertainment sectors. Fiume Capital focuses on identifying and nurturing ventures that align with Bidarian’s vision of integrating media and technology within the sports industry. His leadership at Fiume Capital reflects his ongoing commitment to shaping the future of sports and entertainment through strategic investments.
Recent Endeavors
As of November 2024, Bidarian, through Most Valuable Promotions, co-promoted a highly anticipated boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, streamed live on Netflix. This event exemplifies his innovative approach to sports promotion, combining traditional combat sports with modern media platforms to reach a global audience.
Throughout his career, Nakisa Bidarian has demonstrated a consistent ability to navigate and influence the sports and entertainment industries. His strategic vision and entrepreneurial spirit have led to significant contributions, from facilitating major acquisitions to pioneering new models of sports promotion and investment.
Roles Held by Nakisa Bidarian
Nakisa Bidarian has held several notable roles throughout his career:
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the UFC (2011-2016)
- Senior Vice President of Investment & Strategy at Fertitta Entertainment
- Senior Vice President of Acquisitions at Mubadala Development Company
- Investment Banker at Morgan Stanley
- Mergers & Acquisitions Investment Banker at Citigroup
- Consultant at Accenture
- Co-Founder and CEO of Fertitta Capital
- Co-Founder of Most Valuable Promotions (with Jake Paul)
- Founder of BAVAFA Sports
- Founder of Betr Holdings, Inc.
- Operating Partner at Anti Fund Investment Fund, LLC
- Founder of Fiume Capital Corp
Nakisa Bidarian Wife and Children
Nakisa Bidarian is married to Vanessa Milde Bidarian, a fitness trainer, experienced Pilates instructor, and model. The couple began dating in September 2014, became engaged in August 2015, and married on September 6, 2015. They have a son named Barbad, born on June 1, 2016.
Nakisa Bidarian Net Worth
As of 2024, Nakisa Bidarian’s net worth is estimated to be around $52.5 Million. This estimation reflects his extensive career in finance and sports management, including roles such as Chief Financial Officer of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), co-founder and CEO of Fertitta Capital, and founder of BAVAFA Sports.
Nakisa Bidarian Instagram Presence
Nakisa Bidarian maintains a private Instagram account under the handle @nbidarian. Due to the account’s private status, his posts and follower count are not publicly accessible. However, his wife, Vanessa Milde Bidarian, is active on Instagram with the handle @vjbidarian, where she shares insights into their personal and professional lives.
FAQs
Who is Nakisa Bidarian?
Nakisa Bidarian is a sports and media entrepreneur known for his roles as the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions alongside Jake Paul.
What is Nakisa Bidarian’s educational background?
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.
What roles did Nakisa Bidarian hold at the UFC?
He served as the CFO and Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of the UFC, playing a pivotal role in the organization’s financial planning and strategic growth.
What is Most Valuable Promotions?
Co-founded by Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul in 2021, Most Valuable Promotions is a company aimed at revolutionizing boxing promotion by offering fighters greater creative control and fostering innovative marketing strategies.
What is BAVAFA Sports?
Founded by Nakisa Bidarian in 2019, BAVAFA Sports is a sports, media, and talent advisory and investment firm representing high-profile clients, including Jake Paul and Amanda Serrano.
What was Nakisa Bidarian’s role in the sale of the UFC?
As CFO and CSO, he was instrumental in the UFC’s sale to Endeavor, Silver Lake, and KKR in July 2016, a transaction valued at approximately $4 billion.
What is Nakisa Bidarian’s connection to Jake Paul?
He manages Jake Paul’s boxing career and co-founded Most Valuable Promotions with him, aiming to provide fighters with greater creative control and to revolutionize boxing promotion.
