A recent financial disclosure filed by TKO Group Holdings, which includes the UFC and WWE, reveals strong year-on-year growth for both organizations. The disclosure, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, provides financial information for the UFC and WWE over six quarters.
In the first two quarters of 2023, the UFC generated $611.9 million in revenue through media rights, sponsorship, and consumer product licensing. The deal with ESPN accounted for a significant portion of this revenue, paying out between $211.7 million and $224.1 million during that period. Live events brought in $63.8 million, while sponsorships accounted for $54.2 million.
Comparing the second quarter of 2023 to the same period in 2022, the UFC saw a 14% increase in revenue. WWE also experienced a strong year-on-year growth, with $707.9 million in revenue in the first two quarters of 2023. After a temporary drop, WWE bounced back with a 25% revenue climb.
TKO Group Holdings, formed earlier this year, is estimated to be valued at over $21 billion. With the UFC's lucrative sponsorship deal with Bud Light and the continued success of both organizations, the future looks bright for the newly merged TKO Group Holdings.