to merge UFC and WWE to form a new company with a combined enterprise value of $21.4 billion. It will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol TKO and Endeavor will own 51% and existing WWE shareholders will control 49%. Emanuel, the Endeavor CEO, will stay on to head the new company.The UFC-WWE marriage would place second, behind Liberty Media and ahead of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, among the most valuable sports empires.
Liberty Media, whose sports-related assets include controlling stakes in MLB’s Atlanta Braves and the Formula 1 racing circuit, as well as minority stakes in the Drone Racing League, Kroenke Arena Co., Meyer Shank Racing and Overtime Sports, had an enterprise value of $20.8 billion in January.
As for Kroenke, his primary sports assets consist of controlling stakes in the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, England’s soccer powerhouse Arsenal FC and Altitude Sports and Entertainment.
The $21.4 billion is just a proposed valuation. The market, of course, will ultimately decide on the enterprise value of the new UFC-WWE company.