In a groundbreaking move, WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) and UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) have finalized a monumental £17.3 billion merger, ushering in a new era under the banner of TKO Group Holdings.
Endeavour Group Holdings Takes Control
Endeavour Group Holdings, the parent company of UFC, now commands a 51% stake in the newly formed public trading entity, TKO Group Holdings, with WWE shareholders holding the remaining 49%. The helm of this colossal venture is steered by Endeavour’s CEO, Ari Emanuel.
Ari Emanuel expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “The creation of TKO marks an exciting new chapter for UFC and WWE as leaders in global sports and entertainment. With UFC and WWE under one roof, we will provide unrivaled experiences for more than a billion passionate fans worldwide.”
Under this transformative merger, Dana White, a key figure in UFC’s history, has assumed the role of UFC’s new CEO. Meanwhile, Vince McMahon, a legendary figure in the wrestling world, has been appointed as TKO’s executive chairman.
TKO emerges as a powerhouse, uniting UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, with WWE, a globally recognized leader in sports entertainment. The combined entity is poised to cater to over a billion diverse and passionate fans, reaching viewers across 180 countries and staging more than 350 live events annually.
Vince McMahon’s Vision
Vince McMahon, whose return to the WWE board in January followed a brief retirement amid misconduct allegations in 2022, expressed his vision for this venture. He stated, “This is the culmination of a decades-long partnership between Endeavor and WWE across strategic initiatives, including talent representation and media rights. Given our collaborative, trusted relationship and Endeavor’s incredible track record of success growing UFC, we believe WWE is optimally positioned for future growth and success as part of TKO. Our focus remains on delivering for our fans across the globe as we take the business to the next level alongside UFC and Endeavor.”
WWE boasts a truly global reach and a massive fanbase. In the final quarter of 2022, the company garnered over 16 billion social media video views. It boasts nearly 94 million YouTube subscribers and boasts more than 20 million followers on TikTok.
Notably, five of WWE’s female wrestlers rank among the world’s top 15 most-followed female athletes on popular social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Leading the pack is former UFC fighter Ronda Rousey, with an impressive 36.1 million followers.
