UFC-WWE merged company to be called TKO Group, plans to go public

The Endeavor-owned combat sports company formed with the merger of the UFC and WWE finally has a name.

Endeavor confirmed to CNBC on Tuesday the company will be called TKO Group Holdings and it plans to go public on the New York Stock Exchange by the end of 2023. 

Valued at more than $21 billion, the TKO Group will be led by CEO Ari Emmanuel, who’s also the CEO of Endeavor, executive chairman Vince McMahon, who’s also the controlling shareholder of WWE, and president/chief operating officer Mark Shapiro, who holds the same roles with Endeavor.

“This is a rare opportunity to create a global live sports and entertainment pure-play built for where the industry is headed,” Emanuel said in an April press release. “For decades, Vince and his team have demonstrated an incredible track record of innovation and shareholder value creation, and we are confident that Endeavor can deliver significant additional value for shareholders by bringing UFC and WWE together.”

Endeavor owns a 51 percent stake in the TKO Group, while WWE shareholders own the other 49 percent. 

The day-to-day operations of UFC and WWE are expected to be unaffected by the merger with Dana White remaining the president of the UFC and Nick Khan remaining the president of WWE. However, the two organizations are expected to share promotional and advertising resources while building a global reach 

The UFC’s annual revenue saw a 20 percent spike from 2021 to 2022. The company is valued at $12.1 billion. The WWE’s annual revenue saw an 18 percent spike from 2021 to 2022. The company is valued at $9.3 billion.