It’s been 13 months since WWE and UFC came together under TKO Group Holdings, which aims to bring the very best events in the world of combat sports. Now, TKO has expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of Professional Bull Riders, On Location, and IMG from Endeavor.
In a statement, Ari Emanuel, CEO of TKO and Endeavor said:
“Today’s announcements reflect the continued strength of our underlying business and our commitment to deploying capital through a balanced capital allocation strategy, including through our share repurchase program and quarterly cash dividend program. This underscores our continued focus on delivering sustainable long-term value for our shareholders.”
Professional Bull Riders
Professional Bull Riders is a bull riding league that holds over 200 events annually. The company was launched in 1992 and has hosted events in the U.S. Canada, Brazil, and Australia. Over 800 bull riders from said countries, as well as others hold PBR memberships.
On Location
On Location is a hospitality company that has worked with WWE in recent years to provide luxury packages for premium live events. In addition to WWE, On Location provides packages for the NFL Super Bowl, the NCAA Final Four, the Rose Bowl, and several music events.
IMG
IMG packages and sells media rights and brand partnerships and like On Location, has worked with WWE over the years. IMG has also partnered with the NFL, the English Premier League, and the NHL.
TKO has already seen its influence play out on WWE and UFC, with stars from each side appearing on the other’s programming. Time will tell if we start seeing bull riders on Monday Night Raw, but TKO Group Holdings is proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the live entertainment market.