WWE, UFC Merger Expected In September
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
By Cassandra Cousineau, LVSportsBiz.com UFC-MMA Writer
Endeavor, the parent company of Las Vegas-based MMA promotion Ultimate Fighting Championship, stated it plans to close the WWE-UFC merger in mid-to-late September.
Once the two companies merge, they will be known as TKO Group Holdings, a reference to “technical knockout” in combat sports. The company will trade on the New York Stock Exchange.
“We delivered solid results this quarter at Endeavor and are closing in on the launch of TKO Group Holdings,” said Ariel Emanuel, Endeavor’s CEO.
In 2016, UFC’s parent company, Zuffa, was sold to a group led by Endeavor. In 2021, Endeavor bought 100 percent of the company from the remaining Zuffa holders.
As for leadership, Emanuel will be the CEO of TKO.
Vince McMahon, WWE’s controlling shareholder, will serve as executive chairman of the new company. Endeavor will own a 51 percent stake. WWE shareholders will get the remaining 49 percent.
According to Endeavor’s press release, “Dana White will continue in his role as President of UFC and Nick Khan will serve as President of WWE. The Board of Directors will consist of 11 members who will be appointed at a later date, six of whom will be appointed by Endeavor and five of whom by WWE.”
In the last quarter, Endeavor’s sports property revenue was $340.1 million, an increase of 2.5 percent over the second quarter of 2022.
Growth was primarily driven by higher live event revenue from having two more events in the current year with live audiences, higher media rights fees and sponsorships, and an increase in commercial pay-per-view, all at UFC.
