Merged WWE/UFC company to be called TKO Group Holdings

[Chris]

The name of the hopeful merged public company that will combine WWE and UFC will be called TKO Group Holdings.

CNBC's Alex Sherman first reported the news Tuesday.

When the plan for the merger between Vince McMahon's WWE and Ari Emanuel's Endeavor was first announced, it was known at that point that the eventual new public merged company would trade under the TKO ticker. McMahon and Emanuel told CNBC that the name would be announced soon.

The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2023 assuming it clears all regulatory hurdles. When it was first announced, the valuation was at $20 billion for the merged company but that will be determined by the public when shares begin trading.

McMahon will be Executive Chairman of the new company while Emanuel will be CEO. Nick Khan will remain as WWE president while Dana White will remain as UFC president.

https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/wwe-ufc-merged-company-to-be-called-tko-group-holdings

 

[Chris]

The president of Endeavor says they will look at ways to increase WWE's sponsorship revenue, but they are not going to "over-commercialize" the product.

Mark Shapiro appeared on the Sports Media Podcast on Wednesday and was asked about WWE sponsorship opportunities that could potentially involve putting brand logos on wrestlers' ring gear.

Shapiro responded:

"Look, you want to be authentic, you want to be seamless, you want to be organic, you want to be true to your audience. So, no, we're not going to put a brand on somebody's robe walking into the ring. Now, by the way, do UFC fighters wear Venom apparel and Project Rock shoes when they come into the octagon? Yes, they do. Could the WWE benefit from an apparel deal as such? A shoe deal as such? Absolutely but we're not going to over-commercialize it, we're not going to saturate it to the point that we cheap it out, we trick it out, and you turn off the fanbase.
You've gotta figure out what's right in the ring, in the octagon. You've gotta figure out what's right with the arena, indoor, outdoor. You've gotta figure out what's right with the fighters and the participants, and you gotta walk before you run."

However, Shapiro emphasized that the transaction has not been completed and they are not currently in a position to make decisions regarding WWE.

Shapiro's comments regarding WWE's sponsorship potential echoes what had prevaiously been expressed by Endeavor CEO, Ari Emanuel. During an appearance on CNBC's Squawk on the Street earlier this month, Emanuel noted that they will let WWE "do what they want to do" while his group works to drive revenue. He says it's the same playbook they used with UFC.

"Right now, we're focused on saving some cost, doing sponsorship, which they didn't have. It's the same formula we used at UFC," Emanuel said.

Shapiro also commented on the success of this strategy during an interview with Sports Business Journal's John Ourand last month.

Shapiro said:

"That's the strategy. That's how it has successfully played out for the UFC over the last six years. Remember when we bought it for $4.1 billion? People thought that price was crazy. Now, it is valued at $12.1 billion. I mean, what a story. We hope to do the same thing with the WWE."

https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/endeavor-president-mark-shapiro-promises-not-to-over-commercialize-wwe

 

[Alexa]

So marc Mero coming back, nice

 

[Dale]

Logos on their actual wrestling gear was such a non-starter, really not sure who was worried about that happening.

They have so much area in and around the ring alone for them to slap advertising logos on to make bank from

 

[Deezy]

doing sponsorship, which they didn't have.

Endeavour must have heat with Tapout.

Also, WWE/UFC as a one two package should guarantee both giant TV rights.