Overview
- TKO, which owns UFC, WWE and IMG, reported Wednesday it generated $1.597 billion in revenue, $249.8 million in net income and $549.8 million in adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter.
- UFC revenue increased 12% to $401.2 million as the new seven‑year Paramount deal lifted media fees by about $51 million, while two fewer Fight Night shows reduced live‑event income.
- WWE revenue rose 22% to $475.7 million on higher site fees for Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia and new media money from Netflix and ESPN, and IMG jumped 38% to $655.4 million on Milano Cortina Olympics hospitality sales.
- TKO reaffirmed full‑year targets for $5.675–$5.775 billion in revenue and $2.24–$2.29 billion in adjusted EBITDA, and its board approved an additional $1 billion in share repurchases.
- On the investor call, President Mark Shapiro dismissed complaints about weaker UFC cards and spotlighted June’s UFC Freedom 250 at the White House and On Location’s FIFA World Cup offerings as near‑term catalysts.
- An SEC filing showed WWE president Nick Khan signed a new contract through 2030 with sizable stock awards, as separate reports said WWE had asked several wrestlers to accept pay cuts.