All articles tagged with #tko group
Ari Emanuel’s new memoir, 'Roll the Calls,' details his rise from a mailroom clerk to a media mogul, highlighting his combative style, family tensions, and industry feuds.
Hollywood superagent Ari Emanuel has released his memoir, 'Roll the Calls,' which chronicles his rise from a mailroom clerk to the head of WME Group and chairman of TKO. The book, co-written with J.R. Moehringer, argues that aggression and competitive rage are essential tools for success in entertainment. Emanuel details his contentious relationships with industry figures, his family dynamics with brothers Rahm and Zeke, and his expansion into sports media, while addressing the fallout with longtime partner Patrick Whitesell.
WWE released ten developmental talent on September 4, 2026, including LFG winner Jasper Troy and runner-up PJ Vasa. The cuts, confirmed by PWInsider and reported by multiple outlets, affect only NXT and Evolve roster members, with no main roster releases expected. Troy and Vasa both posted '30 Days' on social media, signaling their 30-day non-compete period. The moves are part of a broader TKO Group restructuring, with rumors of future main roster contract expirations in October.
Dave Meltzer reports that Triple H (Paul Levesque) is the final decision-maker behind WWE's April 24 roster releases, with no direct orders from Ari Emanuel or Nick Khan; while corporate oversight may exist, Levesque is the primary voice in talent decisions, echoing Vince McMahon-era dynamics.
Paramount and TKO Group have signed a seven-year deal to exclusively broadcast all UFC events in the U.S., including 13 numbered events and 30 Fight Nights on Paramount+ and select events on CBS, starting in 2026, marking a shift from pay-per-view to streaming and linear platforms.
WWE's $1.6 billion TV rights deal with ESPN has garnered attention on Wall Street, though it hasn't boosted TKO Group's stock, which declined slightly. The deal, which is slightly below expectations in value, includes WWE programming and aims to enhance ESPN's streaming content, with analysts seeing positive implications for future negotiations and streaming growth.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson received over $9 million worth of TKO Group shares as part of his compensation for joining the Board of Directors, following completion of certain services, likely including his appearance at WrestleMania XL. Despite his upcoming film commitments, Johnson teased a potential match with Cody Rhodes on Raw After WrestleMania, leaving open the possibility of further involvement in WWE and potentially increasing his stake in the company.
Vince McMahon has sold over 3.4 million shares of WWE parent company TKO Group, totaling more than $300 million in transactions, reducing his stake to 4.7%. These sales come in the wake of his resignation and sexual abuse allegations, distancing himself from TKO and WWE, and marking a significant shift in his ownership position.
WWE has sold the sponsorship rights for the center of its wrestling ring to Logan Paul and KSI’s Prime Hydration beverage brand, marking the first time a partner's logo will appear in the ring. The deal includes branding at premium live events, match sponsorships, and product activations, with WWE aiming to showcase Prime Hydration across its biggest events. This move follows TKO Group's merger of UFC and WWE, and the recent 10-year deal between WWE's "Monday Night Raw" and Netflix.
Vince McMahon, who recently resigned from his positions at TKO Group amid sexual misconduct allegations, is selling 5.4 million shares in the company, amounting to approximately $412 million. This move follows a lawsuit filed against him for sex trafficking and battery. McMahon denies the allegations and intends to vigorously defend himself. The sale comes after he previously sold 8.4 million shares in the company.
Vince McMahon, founder of WWE, has sold $411.95 million worth of TKO stock, following his resignation from the board amid sexual assault allegations. McMahon still owns about 15 million shares of TKO. A lawsuit filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant alleges that McMahon abused and sexually exploited her, leading to his resignation from TKO's board. McMahon strongly denies the allegations and intends to vigorously defend himself.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson released a 21-minute self-taped interview hyping up his WrestleMania match, blurring real-life board role with WWE storylines. Embracing a bad guy character, he addressed controversy over his main event involvement, his board position, and the Netflix deal. Teasing a rumored tag team match, he positioned himself as a new authority figure in WWE storylines, while also addressing Roman Reigns' leadership and Cody Rhodes' upset. Johnson's interview delved into mixed reality, building up the WrestleMania event and addressing backstage drama, ultimately stirring up fan uproar and discussions within the wrestling industry.
Former WWE star Paul Roma alleges that sexual misconduct was common within the organization, claiming that executives put wrestlers in compromising situations. Federal authorities are investigating sexual assault and trafficking allegations against WWE founder Vince McMahon, who recently resigned from his position within TKO Group after a former employee filed a federal lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed by Janel Grant, accuses McMahon of sexual exploitation and attempted trafficking. Grant's attorney emphasizes the need to eradicate the culture of corruption within WWE and cites over 300 allegations of sexual abuse in the filing.
The Hollywood Reporter's article on Vince McMahon's resignation from WWE and TKO Group following sexual abuse allegations presents a pro-TKO spin, framing the situation as a problem largely solved by TKO CEO Ari Emanuel and his team. The report discusses TKO's efforts to mitigate the impact on the company's bottom line and secure partnerships, while downplaying the potential risks and legal exposure for WWE. It also highlights the concerns about the value of future media rights deals and the potential impact of Vince McMahon selling off TKO stock.
Vince McMahon resigned from all his roles at WWE and its parent company TKO Group following a lawsuit alleging abuse and exploitation. The move came after a major sponsor's decision to pull out of WWE's event due to the allegations. McMahon's resignation was made official by TKO in a filing to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and it is unlikely that he will be able to return to the company this time due to the sale to Endeavor and the loss of his previous controlling power.