The UFC and WWE merger became official on Tuesday morning with the official launch of TKO Group Holdings.
TKO announced a special one-time cash dividend earlier today as a result of the merger.
You can check out the official announcement below:
TKO Announces Special Cash Dividend
09/13/2023
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) (“TKO” or the “Company”), a premium sports and entertainment company, today announced that it has declared a special cash dividend pursuant to the terms of the transaction agreement between UFC and WWE, which provides for a special one-time dividend on TKO’s shares of Class A common stock, funded by an intracompany cash distribution to TKO prior to the consummation of the transaction. The dividend to TKO’s Class A common stockholders will be $3.86 per share, payable on September 29, 2023 to TKO’s Class A common stockholders of record as of September 22, 2023.
Future declarations of dividends are subject to the determination and discretion of TKO’s board of directors based on its consideration of various factors, such as its results of operations, financial condition, market conditions, earnings, cash flow requirements, restrictions in its debt agreements, legal requirements and other factors that TKO’s board of directors deems relevant.
Meanwhile, UFC Senior EVP and COO Lawrence Epstein has been quite ambitious about creating a crossover between the WWE and UFC fanbases in the advent of the merger. He said,
“Where we want to get is where every UFC fan is a WWE fan and every WWE fan is a UFC fan.”
During a recent DWCS press conference, UFC President Dana White stated that a crossover is unlikely as there is very little synergy between the audiences of both companies. He said,
“Lawrence, I love you, one of the dumbest statements of all time. I don’t know why he said that. I don’t even know what to say to that. No. There is no…there is some crossover. Some people like WWE, some people like UFC, some people like both. I don’t think there is ever going to be a day where we turn every UFC fan to a WWE fan or every WWE…what’s beautiful about the synergy between these two fanbases is they are very completely opposite. There is very little crossover. Maybe he was misquoted, I hope that was the case because I could not disagree with him more.”
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The UFC and WWE Merger: What You Need to Know
In a surprising turn of events, the UFC and WWE merger has become official with the launch of TKO Group Holdings. This merger has created a lot of buzz in the sports and entertainment industry, leaving fans and experts curious about what this collaboration will bring. Let’s delve into the details of this merger and explore its potential impact.
TKO Group Holdings, a premium sports and entertainment company, announced the merger and also revealed a special one-time cash dividend as a result of this collaboration. The dividend, amounting to $3.86 per share, will be payable to TKO’s Class A common stockholders on September 29, 2023. This move reflects the company’s commitment to rewarding its shareholders and generating excitement around the merger.
Lawrence Epstein, the Senior EVP and COO of UFC, has expressed his ambition to create a crossover between the WWE and UFC fanbases. He envisions a future where every UFC fan is also a WWE fan, and vice versa. However, UFC President Dana White has expressed skepticism about this idea. During a recent press conference, White stated that there is very little synergy between the audiences of both companies, and he does not believe there will ever be a day where every UFC fan becomes a WWE fan or vice versa.
White’s comments highlight an interesting aspect of this merger – the distinct differences between the fanbases of UFC and WWE. While there may be some crossover between the two, the majority of fans have their preferences firmly rooted in one or the other. This contrast in fanbases could pose challenges for TKO Group Holdings as they attempt to merge the two entities.
The merger between UFC and WWE has sparked curiosity among fans and industry experts alike. Many wonder how this collaboration will impact the sports and entertainment landscape. Will we see more crossover events featuring UFC fighters in WWE matches or vice versa? Will there be joint promotions and marketing campaigns? These are just a few of the questions that remain unanswered.
As the merger unfolds, it will be interesting to see how TKO Group Holdings navigates the challenges of merging two distinct fanbases. Will they find innovative ways to bridge the gap and create new opportunities for both UFC and WWE? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, fans can stay updated on all the latest wrestling news on eWrestlingNews.com, a reliable source for all things wrestling. Additionally, following their Twitter and Facebook pages will ensure you don’t miss any updates or announcements regarding this merger.
The UFC and WWE merger has certainly stirred up excitement and speculation within the sports and entertainment industry. While the future remains uncertain, one thing is for sure – this collaboration has the potential to reshape the landscape of both UFC and WWE, creating new possibilities and experiences for fans around the world.