TKO Secures Acquisition of Professional Bull Riders, IMG, & On Location in $3.25 Billion Deal

Last year saw the integration of WWE and UFC into the TKO umbrella, marking a significant shift in the landscape of sports entertainment. With that said, it appears TKO has now reached a new lucrative deal recently.

TKO has announced a plan to buy back up to $2 billion in shares and start paying a quarterly cash dividend of $75 million. This shows TKO’s strong financial health and its focus on increasing value for shareholders.

At the same time, TKO has agreed to buy Professional Bull Riders (PBR), On Location, and IMG from Endeavor Group Holdings in a deal worth $3.25 billion. This move will expand TKO’s presence in top-level sports, adding to its UFC and WWE businesses and helping grow partner leagues and events.

TKO’s CEO, Ariel Emanuel, highlighted the company’s focus on balanced financial management. President Mark Shapiro also said the new assets would boost TKO’s global presence in premium sports. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2025, pending approval from regulators. Once done, Endeavor will own about 59% of TKO, with the remaining 41% held by current shareholders.

The share buyback plan is flexible and depends on market conditions. It’s expected to take place over three to four years, but the plan could change or end at any time. The first dividend payment is scheduled for March 31, 2025, but future payments will depend on TKO’s financial performance.

TKO’s board, following advice from a group of independent directors, has approved the buyback and dividend plans. These plans are not tied to the completion of the acquisition. As TKO embarks on this new chapter, fans are excited to see what this could mean for the company and others involved in the future.

Do you believe this acquisition will be a game changer for TKO? Let us know in the comments section below!