Board seat, IP rights, and royalties outlined in official documents
Summary
– TKO filing confirms Dwayne Johnson holds a board position
– WWE assigned “The Rock” trademark rights to Johnson through an affiliate
– Johnson received a $30 million RSU equity award plus ongoing royalties
A new SEC filing from TKO has revealed the full scope of WWE’s financial and business relationship with Dwayne Johnson. The disclosure, tied to the company’s earnings report, outlines equity compensation, intellectual property rights, royalty payments, and Johnson’s formal leadership role.
According to the filing, Johnson was appointed as a WWE director designee on the TKO Board on January 23, 2024. One day earlier, WWE and Johnson entered into the DJ Services Agreement, which formalized his promotional and strategic involvement with the company.
One of the most significant elements of the agreement centers on intellectual property. WWE assigned “The Rock” trademark and related assets, including specific ring names and taglines, to Johnson through one of his affiliates. Johnson then licensed that intellectual property, along with his name and likeness, back to WWE for use in licensed products for up to ten years.
As part of the agreement, Johnson received a restricted stock unit award valued at $30 million. TKO recognized $17.7 million in equity-based compensation tied to that award in 2024 and an additional $4.0 million in 2025.
The filing also disclosed royalty payments connected to merchandise bearing Johnson’s likeness and intellectual property. The company paid $0.9 million in royalties to Johnson in both 2024 and 2025. Reimbursable travel and related expenses were reported at $2.6 million for 2024 and $0.6 million for 2025.
Johnson has long been associated with WWE as both a performer and global ambassador. This agreement formalizes a deeper level of influence that extends beyond on-screen appearances. With trademark ownership secured and equity in place, Johnson’s role now includes board-level input and long-term control of licensing.
The arrangement ensures WWE remains aligned with one of its most recognizable figures while giving Johnson direct ownership of the brand that helped define his career.
