• Loading stock data...
Friday, September 12, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

McMahon Selling $713M in TKO Stock, Ari Emanuel May Be a Buyer

  • Bombshell announcement to bring big changes to company’s ownership structure
  • TKO warns that McMahon’s presence on the board could have “adverse” impacts
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

WWE and UFC parent company TKO Group Holdings is set for a sizable shift in its ownership structure. WWE founder Vince McMahon is selling 8.4 million shares in the company, an interest currently worth more than $713 million.

The Endeavor-controlled TKO filed a prospectus with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission late Thursday detailing the bombshell offering. The shares amount to roughly 10% of the company and comprise nearly a third of McMahon’s interest in TKO. 

Notice of the sale arrives three days after TKO indicated in a separate SEC filing that “Mr. McMahon’s membership on our board could have adverse financial and operational impacts on our business.” 

Despite his status as TKO executive chairman, McMahon has been under investigation by the company for sexual misconduct and was served with a federal grand jury subpoena this past summer, though no charges have been filed.

TKO — which is 51% controlled by Endeavor — indicated it intends to buy about $100 million worth of the shares. Endeavor and TKO CEO Ari Emanuel, president and COO Mark Shapiro, and other TKO directors said they intend to buy $1 million, $1 million, and $850,000 worth of the stock, respectively.

Historic Shift

The McMahon sale marks major changes for the company, as he developed WWE more than four decades ago from a minor pro wrestling circuit to a global entertainment colossus. TKO shares dipped more than 5% in after-hours trading Thursday following the news. 

Earlier this week, TKO reported revenue growth in its first quarterly earnings report since becoming a standalone company, in turn fueling meaningful gains on Endeavor’s balance sheet as it considers going private.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jey Uso and Pat McAfee look at each other after Uso’s win Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, during the WWE Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

WWE Will Leave Peacock for ESPN 6 Months Early

Peacock’s final show will be “Clash in Paris” on Aug. 31.
Jul 19, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, UNITED STATES; Dan Ige (red gloves) fights against Patricio Pitbull (blue gloves) during UFC 318 at Smoothie King Center.

Why Paramount Overpaid for UFC Media Rights

Analysts and experts agree the deal is a huge win for UFC.

Featured Today

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
opinion
September 9, 2025

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from NFL’s Week 1 Broadcasts

Many viewers decried the addition of ads to “NFL RedZone.”

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
June 24, 2025

Timberwolves’ 4-Year Ownership Saga Ends As A-Rod, Lore Take Over

The unanimous approval brought a clean end to a long-disputed transaction.
Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) before game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
June 25, 2025

Rockets Get $20 Million in Wiggle Room From New VanVleet Deal

VanVleet first signed with the Rockets in 2023.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
April 20, 2025

Max Verstappen Linked to $300M Aston Martin Deal Ahead of Miami GP

Aston Martin is currently seventh in the constructors championship.
March 27, 2025

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions Gets PE Boost

The Hall of Famer’s company gains another prominent backer.
March 20, 2025

High School Sports Power Signs Eight-Figure Rights Deal in First

The deal pays roughly $1 million annually, FOS has learned.
March 20, 2025

Maxx Crosby’s Agent: Edge Rushers Set to Dominate NFL’s Non-QB Market

Maxx Crosby just signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension.