TKO Group Holdings, the result of the corporate merger between UFC and WWE, had a successful first day of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, closing 2.6 percent higher than its opening price. The merger combines assets from the MMA giant UFC with the professional wrestling organization WWE.
TKO started the day trading at $102 per share, maintaining the price from WWE’s stock before the merger. By the closing bell, TKO’s share price had risen to $103.25, trending upward throughout the day.
Endeavor Group Holdings, the parent company of UFC, closed at $22.66 per share, up 2.28 percent. Endeavor removed UFC from its balance sheet as part of the merger, focusing on its agency business, live event production, and other sports properties like Professional Bull Riders.
TKO Group Holdings is now 51 percent owned by Endeavor, with Ari Emanuel serving as CEO for both companies. Vince McMahon is the executive chairman of the board for TKO, while Dana White transitions from UFC president to UFC CEO, and Nick Khan remains WWE president.
Media analyst David Joyce from Seaport Research Partners gave TKO a “buy” rating, highlighting the growth potential of the combined company. He noted that with increased scale, TKO can leverage global fan engagement, media rights fees, and event volumes. Media rights fees will be a significant part of the merged company’s strategy, as both UFC and WWE have broadcast deals coming up for renewal in the near future.
TKO’s president and COO, Mark Shapiro, indicated that the company plans to seek acquisitions to further its growth, potentially looking into other MMA or pro-wrestling organizations.
While there is no specific timeline for acquisitions, TKO Group Holdings is positioning itself aggressively for future expansion and opportunities in the sports and entertainment industry.