Just Like Shaq and Magic Johnson, Dana White Pushed by TKO President Mark Shapiro Exposing UFC CEO’s Biggest Asset

Dana White may be the most vital reason why the UFC witnesses such grandeur today. Fight fans and professionals know this for a fact. However, it is a different story altogether when the President of TKO Holdings compares the UFC CEO with the former Commissioner of the NBA, David Stern.

Recently, Mark Shapiro attended the JP Morgan Technology, Media, and Communication Conference, held on 22nd May, at the Westin Boston Seaport Hotel, Massachusetts. At the conference, the TKO President couldn’t refrain from praising White and the asset he has proven to be for the company. After Joe Rogan commended the UFC head honcho for lifting the UFC to great heights, it was Shapiro’s turn to do the same. But why did he compare White with Stern? Let’s find out.

How is Dana White similar to David Stern?

At the JP Morgan Technology, Media, and Communication Conference, Shapiro addressed the UFC CEO’s ability to identify and develop an entity with talent. As per Shapiro, White had the skills to turn a fighter’s success in the UFC cage into stardom, thereby building personalities that further lifted the company’s value. But when he had to compare White with someone, Shapiro named the former NBA Commissioner. “Don’t want to date myself here but the only other person I can equate him to in terms of star building is David Stern,” he said.

Stern was indeed one of the greatest names when it came to building stars. Shapiro claimed that Stern saw the star factor in players like Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan, much before anyone else noticed. And White was exactly like that. He would see talent from far away and mold the fighters into star athletes.

“He sees men and women. He sees these potential stars. He gets behind them. They have to win on their own but he puts them in a position if they win, to really explode,” the TKO Holdings President said. Thereafter, he went on to justify how big of an asset White was for the company.

Back in 2o16, when Endeavor purchased the UFC, it sold for around $4.2 billion. Fast forward to 2023 and the UFC-WWE merger under TKO Holdings, the company’s value stood at a staggering $12.1 billion. The growth of the promotion over those seven years happened under White’s watchful eye.

He capitalized on the void left on the sports front when the pandemic brought the world to a halt. The UFC was arguably the first sports promotion to return in the pandemic era and has since then shown exponential growth in popularity. They have since then developed a strong footing in the Middle East, with Abu Dhabi getting annual PPV visits since 2020. So it’s no surprise Shapiro was all praise for White!

White is the greatest asset for TKO Holdings

Mark Shapiro revealed that White pushing the fighters toward stardom ultimately worked in favor of the company. He claimed, “By and large, the biggest reason for our success is Dana White himself.” Although the MMA promotion had a great team managing the UFC’s day-to-day stuff and productions, Shapiro gave all the credit to White, saying, “But Dana White is all that and then some.”

Finally, the President of UFC’s parent company applauded Dana White as a star builder. He said, “He’s a marketer, he’s a star all by himself. He’s an unbelievable leader. He’s an incredible matchmaker. His social is growing arguably faster than the UFC itself. But the best thing he is, he’s a star builder.” Without a doubt, Shapiro was mesmerized by White’s work, as were most of the fight fans. 

What are your thoughts on Shapiro’s words? Do you also believe that the UFC CEO is exactly like David Stern? Let us know in the comments down below.