Analyzing Fourth-Quarter Earnings Report
Summary
– TKO executives dissect UFC’s and WWE’s financial achievements and prospects.
– CEO Ari Emanuel highlights sponsorship agreements and WWE’s Netflix deal.
– CFO Andrew Schleimer discusses synergies between UFC and WWE, upcoming events, and financial projections.
TKO executives recently held a conference call to unveil insights from the company’s fourth-quarter and full-year earnings report, available on TKOgrp.com since February 27, 2024. Here’s a breakdown of the key points discussed:
Seth Zaslow, TKO’s Senior VP of Investor Relations, provided insights on legal matters before passing the floor to the hosts – CEO Ari Emanuel, President/COO Mark Shapiro, and CFO Andrew Schleimer.
Emanuel started with an overview, highlighting UFC and WWE’s impressive viewership and attendance records. He emphasized significant sponsorship deals with Anheuser-Busch and Slim Jim and WWE’s groundbreaking deal with Netflix. Emanuel expressed confidence in WWE’s potential for growth, citing the company’s strong attendance figures and the upcoming shift of Smackdown to the USA Network and NXT to the CW Network.
Schleimer delved into the synergies between UFC and WWE, discussing the upcoming Elimination Chamber event in Perth, Australia, and the recently signed deal with the Honda Center to host UFC and WWE events. He highlighted projected net savings from increased synergy between the brands and discussed ongoing efforts to secure a broadcasting platform for Raw during the interim period between network shifts.
During the Q&A session, Emanuel expressed excitement about bringing Raw to Netflix, emphasizing its global reach and transformative potential. Schleimer discussed financial outcomes and TKO’s commitment to seizing opportunities for shareholder value. The impact of the Netflix deal on international brand extensions and sponsorship deals was also addressed, emphasizing the potential for growth and synergy between UFC and WWE events.
Shapiro discussed the potential for a sports media rights bubble but expressed confidence in the continued demand for premium content. He cited examples from other live sports and stated that TKO is in a strong position. Emanuel echoed Shapiro’s sentiments, emphasizing that premium content commands a premium price.
The call concluded with discussions on expected cost savings, sponsorship deals, and TKO’s vision for future growth and success.
