Kemo
11-08-2023, 06:45 PM
https://i.imgur.com/iAe1sfx.jpg
Things are looking good for TKO Group Holdings, as Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel made clear during TKO's recent earnings call.
On the call, Ari Emanuel mentioned that this would be his first media call and talked up UFC's sellout streak. The Endeavor CEO shared that the plan is for UFC to expand into Saudi Arabia by building on WWE's already-existing relationship. TKO is looking at eight-figure site fees coming in from the region.
New TV Deals
Emanuel elaborated on the news that NXT is to join The CW next year, news that was broken shortly before the call. The deal will see a 70% increase in media rights fees. Emanuel also addressed plans for SmackDown on the USA Network, which will see four special events held across the year.
TKO is in talks with several broadcast partners and streamers for Monday Night Raw, but no deals have been locked in at this time. For Raw, TKO are going to be patient, measured, and calculated and take their time. They are having robust conversations and they are handling it the way they handled UFC rights.
Cutting Costs
Emanuel ran down the moves to cut costs in the range of $50-100 million. These cost-cutting measures include the firings from WWE's staff and roster that we saw in September. TKO is still working on cost-cutting measures and additional moves will be made in that regard next year.
Sponsorships
This year has seen WWE incorporate more sponsorships on their shows, such as the Mountain Dew-endorsed Pitch Black match at this year's Royal Rumble, or the Slim Jim-sponsored battle royal at SummerSlam. It was said that Vince McMahon is open to having more inventory of sponsorships, whereas before they kept the ring mat and arena relatively clean. It was said that TKO is not going to tip their hand too much and potentially give upcoming partnerships away.
WWE & UFC
TKO is very happy with how WWE & UFC have operated since the company's launch in September. They expect they can partner with UFC and WWE events in international markets, noting China as a potential destination. The topic of 'super weekends' was also discussed. These would see Saturday to Monday event weekends featuring both WWE & UFC shows.
Things are looking good for TKO Group Holdings, as Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel made clear during TKO's recent earnings call.
On the call, Ari Emanuel mentioned that this would be his first media call and talked up UFC's sellout streak. The Endeavor CEO shared that the plan is for UFC to expand into Saudi Arabia by building on WWE's already-existing relationship. TKO is looking at eight-figure site fees coming in from the region.
New TV Deals
Emanuel elaborated on the news that NXT is to join The CW next year, news that was broken shortly before the call. The deal will see a 70% increase in media rights fees. Emanuel also addressed plans for SmackDown on the USA Network, which will see four special events held across the year.
TKO is in talks with several broadcast partners and streamers for Monday Night Raw, but no deals have been locked in at this time. For Raw, TKO are going to be patient, measured, and calculated and take their time. They are having robust conversations and they are handling it the way they handled UFC rights.
Cutting Costs
Emanuel ran down the moves to cut costs in the range of $50-100 million. These cost-cutting measures include the firings from WWE's staff and roster that we saw in September. TKO is still working on cost-cutting measures and additional moves will be made in that regard next year.
Sponsorships
This year has seen WWE incorporate more sponsorships on their shows, such as the Mountain Dew-endorsed Pitch Black match at this year's Royal Rumble, or the Slim Jim-sponsored battle royal at SummerSlam. It was said that Vince McMahon is open to having more inventory of sponsorships, whereas before they kept the ring mat and arena relatively clean. It was said that TKO is not going to tip their hand too much and potentially give upcoming partnerships away.
WWE & UFC
TKO is very happy with how WWE & UFC have operated since the company's launch in September. They expect they can partner with UFC and WWE events in international markets, noting China as a potential destination. The topic of 'super weekends' was also discussed. These would see Saturday to Monday event weekends featuring both WWE & UFC shows.