osakarob's blog
WWE & UFC Merge to Become TKO
The WWE and UFC closed their merger today - combining to form TKO Group Holdings. The ticker symbol on the NYSE will be TKO. The new company is expected to have a $22B market capitalization and many have speculated that they will create a combined streaming service to promote the shared library of match content.
Although many here on MF probably identify singularly with being either a competitive grappling/BJJ guy versus a pro-wrestling/pro-fantasy guy, it's interesting to see that the overall "industry" has moved in the opposite direction - merging the two powerhouses.
Although there will likely be many, many more updates and analysis of the new company, this article today in the Hollywood Reporter (of all places) sheds light on the business thinking behind the deal:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/ufc-wwe-merger-close-tko-endeavor-1235579789/
It probably doesn't mean much in the short term for fans of either entity. Regardless of whether you like Raw and Smackdown or you prefer Dana's wild and wooly crew, it would seem that the new corporate powerhouse will continue to deliver the exciting fight drama we all love and crave.
NYC 123 (77 )
9/12/2023 5:49 PMI had heard this was in talks a while back. It's interesting that it actually happened.
BostonScot2 (1)
9/12/2023 7:39 PMWow. That figure is incomprehensible and hard to believe. While I enjoy some of the fighters in both camps, I grew up with WCW and thoroughly enjoyed many of the wrestlers seen every week. Miss those days.
Devgrapple (4)
9/12/2023 9:04 PMUgh. Mixing proper violence and light entertainment isn't exactly wholesome is it.
Akrongrappler (10)
9/13/2023 4:33 AM(In reply to this)
If I was the ufc, I'd never want to be associated with a sports entertainment company
KOFistBoxer (1)
9/12/2023 10:07 PMWell thankfully the UFC isn't solely grappling focused (though I find it funny how so many wrestlers seem to only see the wrestling and inaccurately assume that's everyones primary focus, when it's only part of MMA), but I really hope this merger doesn't water down the legitimacy of the UFC brand.
I honestly don't care who owns what or under what name stock is traded, but I do think that one of the big reasons the early incarnations of the XFL didn't take off was because they injected that "pro-wrestling" style smack talk tone into the league which made it kind of eye-rolling and unserious to legitimate fans of the sport. I get that real competitive athletes can talk smack as well (UFC has no shortage), but there is a difference between that and bad, scripted dialog, artificial rivalries, etc. UFC doesn't need staged drama added in.
Finances aside, they just need to keep the organizations as separate as possible, and not blur the line between fake, scripted fantasy and legitimate sport, because that will not only draw the ire many fans but even call into question some of the outcomes, betting lines, etc.
hvywght blk bxr (7)
9/14/2023 1:07 AMThe key takeaway is that the new company endeavor, owns both the WWE and UFC along with professional bull riding (PBR) association and the Euro League sports. So they're getting money from both hands while still controlling a 51% of the overall company activities. Vince McMahon will be president of the board overseeing both companies, but even then he's only has 34% of the control. So it's not like you'll see UFC fighters switching over to WWE and vice versa as true competition other than cross advertisement if any.