WWE & UFC Live Event Groups Merge

Another merger has taken place between WWE and UFC under TKO Group Holdings.

TKO announced today that the WWE and UFC live events departments have been combined into one unit named the TKO Live Events Strategy Team. The department will focus on live event development and scheduling, tourism incentive programmes, ticketing, and fan experiences. The merger was carried out to maximise revenue and "pursue growth opportunities and cost synergies." 

UFC's Peter Dropick is now the TKO EVP of Event Development and Operations. 

TKO Chief Financial Officer Andrew Schleimer said: "Demand for live sports and entertainment has never been stronger, and we believe our portfolio of events will continue to drive the growth of our business. The newly integrated TKO Live Events Strategy Team will focus on creating operational efficiencies and developing strategies to leverage the broader economic benefits we bring to host cities, including partnering with local governments and maximizing revenue opportunities from site fees."

The WWE and UFC merger under TKO Group Holdings was completed in September 2023, a few months after Vince McMahon agreed a deal with Endeavor. WWE and UFC have made moves to combine departments since then, with WWE EVP of Live Events John Porco exiting WWE in February 2024 after 25 years with the company.