Endeavor Group Holdings has officially completed the merger of two major combat sports behemoths, UFC and WWE. They announced this notable partnership in April. The newly formed company operates under the banner of TKO Group Holdings on the New York Stock Exchange. Endeavor holds a controlling 51% stake, leaving WWE with a 49% share. The completion of the merger’s finalization means that some WWE executives would net some substantial bonuses. However, the creative mastermind behind WWE, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, bagged a bonus which is significantly less than what he deserved.
Triple H’s meager bonus amount after the merger garners attention
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful shared a report that gives more insight into the numbers. According to it, Nick Khan received a substantial $15 million bonus. Triple H, on the other hand, secured a $5 million bonus. They received these bonuses for their significant contributions to the company. Both leading up to and during the merger, as well as to incentivize their continued commitment to the organization. On WWE’s official website, Khan is listed as the CEO, having initially joined as the president and chief revenue officer in 2020.
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Due to the WWE/UFC merger, WWE Execs received substantial bonuses:
Nick Khan – $15 million
Kevin Dunn – $7 million
Triple H (Paul Levesque) – $5 million pic.twitter.com/aQEqiMv6mh— Wrestle Features (@WrestleFeatures) September 12, 2023
Meanwhile, Levesque, known widely as WWE superstar Triple H, holds the role of chief content officer. Notably, Triple H was honored with induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019. According to reports, this merger forms a single entity, with Vince McMahon retaining his position as WWE executive chairman.
With the deal finally taking place and TKO officially listed on the New York Stock Exchange, fans are wondering who are the people behind the emerging sports entertainment organization are.
The notable personalities that comprise TKO
TKO carved out a substantial valuation of $21.4 billion. UFC’s parent company. The TKO leadership includes key figures from both UFC and WWE. Vince McMahon, once WWE’s controlling shareholder, now assumes the role of executive chairman at TKO. Dana White, the president of UFC, steps into the position of UFC CEO. Ari Emanuel, who holds the position of CEO at Endeavor, will assume the additional role of CEO at TKO. Mark Shapiro, an executive within Endeavor, has been appointed as TKO’s president and chief operating officer. Meanwhile, Nick Khan will fulfill the role of WWE president.
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Anticipations suggest that UFC and WWE will continue to operate as distinct entities. Lawrence Epstein, the senior executive vice president and chief operating officer at UFC, clarified the roles in the new organization. Dana White, the current UFC president, will retain his day-to-day responsibilities at UFC. On the WWE front, creative leadership will be in the hands of Paul Levesque (Triple H). Additionally, there are plans involving combining the assets of both entities. UFC and WWE want to explore the possibility of hosting major events simultaneously.
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These events would take place in the same city and on the same weekend. This strategy aims to maximize their collective influence when negotiating with local tourism authorities and other stakeholders.
What do you make of the bonus amount Triple H received in lieu of the merger? Let us know in the comments section below.