TKO Group Holdings, the combined entity of UFC and WWE, reported strong financial results for 2024 with a revenue of $2.804 billion despite a $375 million settlement for an antitrust lawsuit against UFC, and it anticipates further growth in 2025 due to lucrative broadcast deals and strategic expansions.
TKO Group Holdings, the powerhouse merging UFC and WWE, wrapped up 2024 on a high note. Despite agreeing to a hefty $375 million settlement for one of the antitrust lawsuits against the UFC, it was a stellar year overall.
On Wednesday, TKO unveiled their financial prowess with a whopping $642.2 million in fourth-quarter revenue. For the entire year, they amassed $2.804 billion. The net income? $47.5 million for Q4 and $6.4 million for the full year.
A five percent uptick in Q4 results was primarily driven by UFC’s robust growth, raking in an additional $61.1 million to reach $343.8 million. This uptick cushioned WWE’s dip of $32.9 million, largely due to Monday Night Raw transitioning from USA Network to Netflix.
WWE’s landscape is set to shift dramatically with a colossal 10-year, $5 billion deal with Netflix that kicked off this January. Big changes are on the horizon!
For 2024, TKO’s revenue soared by 67 percent, reaching $2.804 billion. WWE contributed a substantial increase of $1.015 billion, while UFC added another $114 million.
Yet, there’s a twist—net income saw a decline of $169.3 million from the previous year, impacted by the massive antitrust settlement payout.
In their financial disclosure, TKO detailed their payment plan: an initial $125 million followed by another in February. The final installment? Expected in Q2 2025.
With 2024 behind them, TKO is gearing up for a blockbuster 2025. Lucrative broadcast deals are on the horizon!
UFC’s current contract with ESPN concludes in 2025, and negotiations are heating up. With rumors swirling about potential suitors, UFC aims for a staggering new deal exceeding $1 billion annually.
Meanwhile, WWE is also prepping for major bidding wars over its premium live events like WrestleMania and Royal Rumble, currently under Peacock’s wing.
TKO has ambitious goals for 2025, targeting revenue between $2.930 billion and $3 billion. Lofty ambitions indeed!
"TKO delivered record financial performance in 2024," boasted CEO Ari Emanuel in a press release. He highlighted the strength of their intellectual property and dynamic audiences.
Looking ahead, TKO plans to secure long-term media rights for both UFC and WWE events while integrating new ventures like IMG and Professional Bull Riders into their empire.
Exciting times ahead as TKO stock climbs—up 2.26 percent on Wednesday with shares at $159.55!