Who Owns TKO Company?

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Who Owns TKO Group Holdings?

TKO Group Holdings, Inc., formed on September 12, 2023, united UFC and WWE. Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. and the former WWE founded TKO to create a premier sports and entertainment entity.

Who Owns TKO  Company?

As of August 2025, TKO Group Holdings has a market capitalization of approximately $36.53 billion. The company's 2024 revenue reached $2.804 billion, showcasing its significant market presence.

Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. is the primary owner of TKO Group Holdings. This strategic consolidation aims to enhance growth and operational efficiencies across the sports and entertainment sectors. For a deeper understanding of the external factors influencing TKO, consider a TKO PESTEL Analysis.

Who Founded TKO ?

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. was formed on September 12, 2023, through the merger of Zuffa, the parent company of UFC, and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). While TKO is a new entity, its origins lie with the founders of these prominent sports and entertainment businesses. UFC was originally established in 1993, and WWE has a history of family control for over seven decades.

Founding Entities Zuffa (UFC) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
Merger Date September 12, 2023
Initial Controlling Stake Endeavor (51%)
Initial WWE Shareholder Stake 49%
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UFC's Genesis

UFC was initially founded by American businessman Art Davie and others in 1993. It later came under the control of Zuffa LLC, led by Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, before its acquisition by Endeavor in 2016.

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WWE's Legacy Ownership

For over 70 years, WWE was primarily controlled by the McMahon family. Vince McMahon held a significant stake, including 38.6% of the company's outstanding stock and 81.1% of its voting power prior to the merger.

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Key Architects of TKO

Crucial figures in the formation of TKO included Ari Emanuel, CEO of Endeavor, and Vince McMahon, who served as WWE's Executive Chairman. Mark Shapiro took on the roles of President and Chief Operating Officer for the new entity.

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Initial Equity Distribution

Upon its establishment, TKO Group Holdings saw Endeavor holding a 51% controlling interest. Existing WWE shareholders collectively owned the remaining 49% stake on a fully diluted basis.

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Endeavor's Voting Power

Endeavor's subsidiaries owned all Class B common stock, representing 51.9% of TKO Group Holdings' voting power. This arrangement granted Endeavor substantial control from the outset.

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Shift in Control

This merger marked a significant change, as WWE was no longer majority-controlled by the McMahon family. It aligned with the strategic goal of creating a larger, integrated sports and entertainment enterprise, a key aspect of its Growth Strategy of TKO.

The formation of TKO Group Holdings represented a pivotal moment, consolidating two major players in the sports and entertainment landscape. Endeavor's initial 51% ownership, coupled with its significant voting power through Class B shares, established its controlling interest in the newly formed entity. This strategic move aimed to leverage the combined strengths of UFC and WWE, creating a more dominant force in the global market.

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Founders and Early Ownership Structure

The establishment of TKO Group Holdings on September 12, 2023, was a landmark event in the sports and entertainment industry. This merger brought together UFC, previously owned by Endeavor, and WWE, a long-standing family-controlled business.

  • UFC's origins trace back to its founding in 1993.
  • WWE had been under the control of the McMahon family for over seven decades.
  • Vince McMahon was a significant shareholder in WWE before the merger, holding 38.6% of stock and 81.1% of voting power.
  • Ari Emanuel (Endeavor CEO) and Vince McMahon were instrumental in the TKO formation.
  • Endeavor secured a 51% controlling interest in TKO Group Holdings at its inception.
  • Existing WWE shareholders collectively held a 49% stake in TKO.
  • Endeavor's ownership of Class B common stock gave it 51.9% of the voting power.

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How Has TKO ’s Ownership Changed Over Time?

The formation of TKO Group Holdings in September 2023 marked a significant shift in the ownership landscape, stemming from the $21.4 billion merger of UFC and WWE. This strategic consolidation created a new publicly traded entity, fundamentally altering the stakes held by previous stakeholders.

Entity Ownership Stake (as of June 2025) Key Role
Endeavor (via Silver Lake) 61.72% Majority Shareholder, Strategic Control
Vince McMahon Approx. 3% Former Executive Chairman, Significant Divestment
Institutional Investors 91,032,893 shares collectively (as of August 2025) Public Float Holders, Diversified Investment

Endeavor stands as the dominant force in TKO Group Holdings' ownership structure, holding a substantial majority stake. This controlling interest, managed through its subsidiary Silver Lake, positions Endeavor to heavily influence the company's strategic decisions and overall governance. The transition of Endeavor itself to a private entity in March 2025 did not impact TKO's public trading status or Endeavor's significant ownership percentage.

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Key Stakeholder Dynamics in TKO Group Holdings

The ownership of TKO Group Holdings is characterized by a clear majority holder and a notable presence of institutional investors, alongside the evolving stake of a key former executive.

  • Endeavor, through Silver Lake, controls 61.72% of TKO Group Holdings as of June 2025.
  • Vince McMahon has significantly reduced his holdings, now owning approximately 3% of the company.
  • Major institutional investors like The Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street Corporation collectively own a substantial portion of the public float.
  • The company's market capitalization reached $36.53 billion as of August 2025, reflecting investor confidence.
  • Understanding these ownership dynamics is crucial for analyzing the Competitors Landscape of TKO .

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Who Sits on TKO ’s Board?

The Board of Directors for TKO Group Holdings, Inc. initially consisted of eleven members, later expanded to thirteen on January 23, 2024. This board structure is designed to reflect the significant ownership stakes within the company.

Director Name Role at TKO Affiliation/Key Role
Ariel Emanuel Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman Endeavor
Mark Shapiro President and Chief Operating Officer Endeavor
Dwayne Johnson Director Designee (WWE) Global Entertainment Figure
Steven R. Koonin Lead Independent Director Appointed February 2024
Jonathan Kraft Director
Bradley A. Keywell Director
Nancy R. Tellem Director
Peter C. Bynoe Director
Sonya E. Medina Director

TKO Group Holdings operates under a dual-class share system, with both Class A and Class B common stock carrying one vote per share. However, the subsidiaries of Endeavor collectively hold all outstanding Class B shares, which translates to 51.9% of TKO Group Holdings' total voting power. This majority ownership by Endeavor classifies TKO as a 'controlled company' according to stock exchange regulations, giving Endeavor the decisive influence over key shareholder decisions, including board elections and corporate document amendments. This arrangement ensures Endeavor's substantial control over the company's strategic direction and operational decisions. As of June 2025, Vince McMahon, despite his historical significance, does not hold any voting rights within TKO.

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Understanding TKO Group Holdings Ownership

The ownership structure of TKO Group Holdings is primarily defined by Endeavor's significant voting power. This control impacts the company's strategic decisions and board composition.

  • Endeavor holds 51.9% of TKO's total voting power.
  • TKO operates with a dual-class share structure (Class A and Class B).
  • Endeavor's subsidiaries own all Class B shares.
  • This structure designates TKO as a 'controlled company'.
  • Ari Emanuel's role as CEO and Executive Chairman highlights Endeavor's influence.

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What Recent Changes Have Shaped TKO ’s Ownership Landscape?

TKO Group Holdings has seen significant ownership shifts over the past 1-2 years, primarily influenced by strategic divestments and acquisitions. The evolving TKO Group Holdings ownership reflects a dynamic market and strategic realignments within the sports and entertainment sectors.

Shareholder Approximate Stake Date of Transaction/Reporting
Endeavor 61.7% June 2025
Vince McMahon ~3% June 2025
Institutional Owners 91,032,893 shares August 2025

Vince McMahon has significantly reduced his stake in TKO Group Holdings, selling over $2 billion in stock since the company's formation. This includes a $250 million sale of Class A common stock to Endeavor in June 2025, bringing his ownership down to approximately 3%. Endeavor, the majority shareholder, has concurrently increased its stake, reaching 61.7% after this transaction. This move is part of a broader strategy where Endeavor plans to acquire additional sports and entertainment businesses from itself, including IMG and Professional Bull Riders (PBR), in an all-stock deal valued at $3.25 billion, expected to close in the first half of 2025. Upon completion, Endeavor is projected to hold around 59% of TKO. TKO has also initiated capital management strategies, approving a $2 billion share repurchase program and a quarterly cash dividend of $75 million in late 2024. The company is also pursuing strategic expansion, with plans to acquire Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide in the third quarter of 2025 and the creation of UFC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in June 2025. Leadership changes have also occurred, with Vince McMahon resigning as Executive Chairman in January 2024. The TKO company ownership structure is increasingly influenced by institutional investors, with 1191 such owners holding a substantial number of shares.

Icon Endeavor's Growing Influence

Endeavor's ownership in TKO Group Holdings has risen to 61.7% as of June 2025. This increase is a result of strategic share acquisitions, reinforcing Endeavor's position as the majority shareholder.

Icon Vince McMahon's Divestment

Vince McMahon has significantly reduced his holdings in TKO, selling over $2 billion in stock since the company's inception. His stake has decreased to approximately 3% as of June 2025.

Icon Strategic Acquisitions and Consolidation

TKO is set to acquire additional sports and entertainment assets from Endeavor in a $3.25 billion all-stock deal. This move aims to further consolidate premium properties under the TKO umbrella.

Icon Capital Management and Shareholder Returns

TKO has implemented a $2 billion share repurchase program and introduced a quarterly cash dividend of $75 million. These actions signal a commitment to enhancing shareholder value.

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