Lawrence Epstein
WWE & UFC Merger: Lawrence Epstein Discusses Potential Joint Ventures and Fighter Compensation
Lawrence Epstein, who has been instrumental in steering the UFC’s growth and evolution since he joined the organization full-time in 2007, has witnessed numerous transformations and milestones within the UFC. Yet, none compare to the groundbreaking merger between the UFC and WWE, which has given birth to the new parent company, TKO Holdings.
Last month, these two titans of the sports entertainment world finalized a historic £17.3 billion deal. The Endeavour Group Holdings, owners of the UFC, now control 51% of TKO Group Holdings, while WWE’s shareholders hold the remaining 49%. UFC and WWE, giants in their respective domains, have united forces with an ambitious goal: to assert their dominance in the world of sports entertainment.
Lawrence Epstein, who has served as the UFC’s Chief Operating Officer for over a decade, shares his thoughts with BBC Sport: “The exciting aspect is that we share a similar ethos and spirit. Both organizations have a history of defying the odds and advocating for the interests of sports entertainment. We embrace that proverbial chip on our shoulders; it fuels our daily efforts and prevents complacency. It’s the driving force behind our continuous fight for supremacy.”
This relentless spirit is exemplified by Dana White, the UFC’s figurehead, who, after more than two decades, is more determined than ever. Epstein emphasizes the significance of preserving this motivation, stating, “We are committed to retaining our competitive edge. We don’t want to become complacent or mirror traditional sports like golf, tennis, or football. We want to remain true to our identity as an organization that perpetually battles for a greater share of the sports entertainment landscape.”
The merger has led to speculation about how it will impact the future of both organizations. Epstein assures fans that, from their perspective, little will change. However, discussions have already begun about synchronizing schedules and the possibility of staging separate events in the same city on consecutive days.
Yet, he is quick to dispel notions of joint fight nights, asserting, “These businesses will continue to operate independently out of respect for our existing fanbases. You won’t see scripted content in the UFC, nor will you see UFC-style events in WWE. We’re considering aligning our schedules to maximize opportunities. This could result in consecutive events in the same city over a weekend or spread out over a longer timeframe.”
The partnership between UFC and WWE represents a fusion of two giants in the sports entertainment world. Despite the UFC’s relatively shorter history, spanning just three decades, it has rapidly grown, nearly matching WWE’s global revenue in 2022, with a combined revenue of £1.98 billion, of which £940 million came from the UFC.
Dana White and Vince McMahon, the driving forces behind their respective organizations, played pivotal roles in achieving these remarkable financial figures. White, UFC’s president since 2001, weathered controversies earlier this year but remains an integral part of the organization. McMahon, on the other hand, initially stepped down in June 2022 amid allegations of sexual harassment, only to return as the Executive Chairman of TKO Holdings in January 2023.
Epstein emphasizes, “I view this as an equal partnership. We are led by, in my opinion, two of the greatest promoters in history—Dana White and Vince McMahon.”
One aspect that the merger has brought into sharp focus is fighter compensation. In the UFC, some athletes earn as little as $12,000 (£10,000) per fight, according to state athletic commission figures. While the UFC offers win bonuses and performance bonuses of $50,000 (£41,000), top-tier fighters like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones can earn well over £1 million for a single bout.
An ongoing antitrust lawsuit in the United States alleges that the UFC pays its fighters only 20% of its event revenues. In contrast, WWE reportedly guarantees a minimum salary of $250,000 (£204,000) to their main roster fighters, with top stars securing multi-million dollar deals.
Epstein defends the UFC’s compensation structure, stating, “We take pride in creating millionaires among our athletes and providing competitive compensation. Our payment structure remains among the highest in mixed martial arts, far surpassing others. In comparison to sports organizations of similar scale, we are very competitive in our compensation.”
Whether they are emerging talents entering the UFC or established stars like Conor McGregor, the UFC is committed to providing its athletes with lucrative opportunities, ensuring that they continue to set the standard for fighter compensation in the world of sports entertainment.
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