UTA-PARADIGM:
NO DEAL

The widely rumored deal between UTA and Paradigm is off.

Deadline first buzzed that the pact was dead on 6/7 and Paradigm Chairman Sam Gores has since confirmed it with an internal email, which Deadline reprinted.

"UTA made an offer to acquire Paradigm that would have represented one of the largest talent agency transactions in the history of our business," the message reads. "The offer was made for both the Talent/Literary and Music divisions… After careful consideration and in consultation with leaders of both the Music and Talent/Literary executive groups, I have made the decision to shut down discussions and not make this deal."

“We admire Sam and the business he and his colleagues have built," reads a statement from UTA's Jeremy Zimmer. "We are disappointed we didn’t come to an agreement. But we wish him and everyone at Paradigm the best."

This is likely not the last big merger rumor you'll hear out of agencyland. Stay tuned.