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TKO (TKO) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-06 22:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated revenue of $1,308 million, an increase of 10% compared to the previous year [17] - Adjusted EBITDA was $526 million, reflecting a significant increase of 75%, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 40%, up from 25% in the prior year [17] - UFC segment revenue increased by 5% to $416 million, while adjusted EBITDA rose by 6% to $245 million, maintaining a 59% adjusted EBITDA margin [18] - WWE segment revenue increased by 22% to $556 million, with adjusted EBITDA growing by 31% to $330 million, resulting in a 59% adjusted EBITDA margin, up from 55% [21] - IMG segment revenue decreased by 4% to $37 million, but adjusted EBITDA improved significantly to $29 million from a negative $120 million, achieving a 9% adjusted EBITDA margin [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - UFC's live events and global partnerships contributed to robust double-digit growth, with significant partnerships established with Meta and Monster Energy [9] - WWE's live events saw a 29% increase in revenue to $186 million, driven by higher ticket sales and site fee revenue from major events [21] - IMG's production capabilities were highlighted, with significant events covered across multiple continents, although revenue declined due to the loss of FA Cup rights [25][26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported strong performance in international markets, with WWE's premium live events consistently ranking in the top 10 in 37 countries [11] - UFC's site fee strategy is gaining traction, with new partnerships and events being hosted in emerging markets like Azerbaijan and Qatar [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on capitalizing on sustained demand for premium content and live events, raising its full-year guidance for revenue and adjusted EBITDA [6][29] - The recent ESPN media rights deal for WWE's premium live events is expected to secure a pivotal recurring revenue stream, enhancing the company's strategic positioning [6][35] - The integration of IMG On Location and PBR is progressing well, with anticipated savings and revenue growth from these segments [30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to maintain strong performance, citing the successful execution of live events and partnerships [16][36] - The outlook for the remainder of 2025 remains positive, with expectations of continued growth driven by UFC and WWE [29] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance between capital returns to shareholders and organic investments [28] Other Important Information - The company generated $375 million in free cash flow during the quarter, with a free cash flow conversion rate of 71% [27] - The company ended the quarter with $2.769 billion in debt and $535 million in cash and cash equivalents [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Discussion on the WWE deal and its impact - Management emphasized the importance of not putting all assets with one partner, highlighting the value of having multiple distribution channels for content [41] - The ESPN deal is expected to enhance audience reach and provide a stable revenue stream with annual escalators [44][46] Question: Timing of the WWE and UFC deals - Management clarified that the timing of the deals was not indicative of challenges with UFC, and they are in the final stages of negotiations [61][63] Question: Incremental margins and profitability - Management discussed the strong performance in the first half of the year and the expected continuation of growth in high-margin areas [100][101] Question: Sponsorship opportunities - Management highlighted the significant potential for increasing sponsorship revenue, particularly with the shift to ESPN's direct-to-consumer model [91][92]
TKO (TKO) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-06 22:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated revenue of $1,308 million, an increase of 10% compared to the previous year [16] - Adjusted EBITDA was $526 million, reflecting a significant increase of 75%, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 40%, up from 25% in the prior year [16] - The UFC segment reported revenue of $416 million, a 5% increase, while adjusted EBITDA was $245 million, a 6% increase [16][17] - The WWE segment generated revenue of $556 million, a 22% increase, with adjusted EBITDA of $330 million, a 31% increase [20] - The IMG segment saw a revenue decrease of 4% to $307 million, but adjusted EBITDA improved significantly to $29 million from a negative margin in the prior year [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - UFC's partnerships and marketing revenue increased by 39% to $86 million, driven by new partnerships and renewals [17] - WWE's live events and hospitality revenue increased by 29% to $186 million, attributed to higher ticket sales and site fee revenue [20] - IMG's revenue decline was primarily due to the loss of FA Cup rights, partially offset by new production agreements [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company set 36 individual market records for ticket sales in WWE, selling out 16 events during the quarter [9] - WWE's partnership with Netflix has shown robust growth, with over 280 million view hours since its launch [10] - The company anticipates strong performance in upcoming events, including the Canelo versus Crawford fight and the FIFA World Cup [14][30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on capitalizing on sustained demand for premium content and live events, raising its full-year guidance for revenue and adjusted EBITDA [5][29] - The strategy includes leveraging partnerships across multiple TKO properties, enhancing brand partnerships, and integrating IMG On Location and PBR [18][30] - The recent ESPN deal for WWE's premium live events is expected to create a high-margin revenue stream with attractive visibility and stability [35] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the continued momentum across UFC and WWE, highlighting strong operating performance and the potential for further growth [15][29] - The company is optimistic about the impact of the new ESPN deal and the integration of IMG, expecting to achieve significant savings and revenue growth [30] - Management noted that while there are challenges in the upcoming quarters, the overall outlook remains positive with strong demand for premium content [34] Other Important Information - The company generated $375 million in free cash flow, with a conversion rate of 71% [27] - The company ended the quarter with $2.769 billion in debt and $535 million in cash [27] - A share repurchase program of $2 billion is expected to commence in 2025, subject to market conditions [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the implications of the new WWE deal with ESPN? - Management emphasized the importance of not putting all rights on one platform, highlighting the benefits of having multiple partners to maximize monetization and reach [42][44] Question: Why was the WWE PLE deal announced before the UFC deal? - Management clarified that the timing was due to simultaneous negotiations for multiple properties and confirmed that the UFC deal is progressing well [60][62] Question: What are the growth opportunities beyond the UFC media rights renewal? - Management highlighted the potential for increased profitability through partnerships, sponsorships, and the expansion of live events, indicating a strong growth trajectory [96][100]
TKO Group Posts Record Numbers At WWE And UFC In Better-Than-Expected Q2 Report
Deadline· 2025-08-06 20:18
Group 1 - TKO Group Holdings reported a 10% increase in total revenue for Q2, reaching $1.3 billion, surpassing analysts' expectations of $1.27 billion [1] - Diluted earnings per share rose to $1.17, up from 72 cents in the same quarter last year, exceeding the analyst target of $1.09 [1] - WWE revenue increased by $99.4 million to $556.2 million, while UFC revenue grew by $21.5 million to $415.9 million [2] Group 2 - The WWE's Wrestlemania event in April set multiple records for global viewership, contributing significantly to revenue growth [2] - TKO announced a new rights deal with ESPN for 10 annual "premium live events," generating $1.6 billion, a substantial increase from the $900 million deal with NBCUniversal in 2020 [4] - TKO is increasing its 2025 revenue guidance to a range of $4.63 billion to $4.69 billion, with adjusted EBITDA projected between $1.54 billion and $1.56 billion [5]
ESPN inks five-year deal for WWE's live premium events including WrestleMania, Royal Rumble
CNBC· 2025-08-06 10:00
Group 1: WWE and ESPN Partnership - WWE has secured a deal with ESPN worth an average of $325 million per year for five years, starting in 2026, covering major live events like WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam [2][3] - Previously, NBCUniversal's Peacock paid $180 million per year for a similar package over five years [3] - All 10 of WWE's premium live events will be available on ESPN's new $29.99-per-month direct-to-consumer platform, with select events simulcast on ESPN's linear networks [3] Group 2: Strategic Alignment and Audience Expansion - TKO Group President Mark Shapiro emphasized the strategic alignment between WWE and ESPN, stating that partnering with ESPN is essential for expanding WWE's audience on a national scale [4][5] - ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro noted that the addition of WWE events will help reduce churn and expand ESPN's audience beyond traditional sports, appealing to a younger, more diverse demographic [5][6] - WWE President Nick Khan highlighted that 38% of WWE's audience are women and that about 50% of attendees at live events come with children, indicating a multigenerational appeal [6][7] Group 3: Additional Streaming Agreements - In 2024, WWE signed a 10-year, $5 billion deal with Netflix to stream "Raw" every Monday night, starting this year [7] - "SmackDown," airing on USA Network, will continue to stream on Peacock until its deal expires in 2029 [7]
VIP Play, Inc. and Decentral AI Announce Strategic Partnership to Shape the Future of AI-Powered Sports Entertainment
Prnewswire· 2025-08-05 17:00
Core Insights - VIP Play, Inc. and Decentral AI have formed a partnership aimed at revolutionizing the sports entertainment industry through responsible and intelligent AI deployment [1][2][3] Company Overview - VIP Play, Inc. is focused on enhancing online mobile sports fan engagement and wagering, operating in Tennessee and holding a license in West Virginia [4] - The company utilizes a cloud-native architecture and AI-driven product roadmap to provide secure, data-centric experiences while ensuring regulatory compliance and responsible gaming [4] Partnership Objectives - The collaboration aims to pioneer agentic AI in sports entertainment, emphasizing a "Compliance First" approach to innovation [2][3] - Decentral AI's platform will enable VIP Play to run AI models securely across various infrastructures while ensuring data sovereignty and compliance [3][8] Innovation and Transformation - The partnership is set to create hyper-personalized experiences and predictive insights that anticipate user needs [6] - It aims to establish new benchmarks for AI in entertainment, creating barriers to entry that protect market positions while driving industry-wide innovation [7] Strategic Advantages - The collaboration is expected to provide a competitive edge through compliant AI systems that will compound value over the coming years [6][7] - Both companies are committed to shaping the future of entertainment by addressing current challenges and laying the groundwork for immersive experiences [3][6]
Lingerie Fighting Championships Up-lists to OTCID Following Successful UK Events
Globenewswire· 2025-08-04 15:05
Group 1 - Lingerie Fighting Championships, Inc. (LFC) has successfully up-listed to the newly created OTCID market, meeting all necessary criteria including being fully SEC reporting and in good standing with regulators [1] - CEO Shaun Donnelly emphasized the importance of transparency to shareholders, indicating that the up-listing process was lengthy but worthwhile [2] - LFC recently held its first events in the UK, with LFC43: Sindependence Day 2 in London and LFC44: Underground Knockouts in Cardiff, generating significant excitement among fans [2][3] Group 2 - The LFC43 event in London was broadcast live on PPV in both the UK and the US, earning more revenue than any previous LFC event [3] - The Team USA vs Team UK format attracted new fans, creating an immediate connection based on nationality [3] - Donnelly expressed enthusiasm for future international events, indicating that the league is eager to explore opportunities in other countries following the success in the UK [4] Group 3 - Lingerie Fighting Championships Inc. focuses on producing unique mixed martial arts events featuring female fighters for live audiences and television viewers [4]
Opening Bell: July 11, 2025
CNBC Television· 2025-07-11 14:26
in any ways gonna bow out here though. No. No.What I love he's a pretty strong little guy. One of my one of my I talk about what could really go wrong in the market for my speech today for the club is having the president named the second chair while he's shadowed chairman. I you know what I don't like I mean look I think that we're all you know we're TV people but we're also people.Uh, at what point uh does someone have no shame. I I I think those charges, you'll look back and you'll say, "Boy, I wish I ha ...
Lingerie Fighting Championships Announces Bitcoin Strategy In Advance of First UK Shows
Globenewswire· 2025-06-26 17:46
Core Insights - Lingerie Fighting Championships, Inc. (LFC) plans to add $230,000 worth of Bitcoin to its treasury within the next 30 days and aims to increase this amount to $2,000,000 over the next six months [4] - The company is set to host its first events in the UK, with LFC43: Sindependence Day 2 on July 4 in London and LFC44: Underground Knockouts on July 6 in Cardiff [5][11] - The events are expected to feature popular fighters from the US and UK, including current champions and top contenders [5][6] Financial Strategy - The addition of Bitcoin to the treasury indicates a strategic move towards cryptocurrency, potentially enhancing the company's financial flexibility and investment opportunities [4] - The planned increase in Bitcoin holdings reflects a commitment to diversifying assets and adapting to modern financial trends [4] Event Details - LFC43 is already sold out, with options for fans to watch live via pay-per-view on multiple platforms [5] - LFC44 will include several local UK fighters, showcasing the company's effort to engage with the local audience and expand its market presence [6][7] - The previous European event, LFC24, attracted nearly 5,000 fans, indicating a growing interest in LFC's unique blend of MMA and wrestling [7] Company Overview - Lingerie Fighting Championships Inc. focuses on producing mixed martial arts events featuring female fighters, targeting both live audiences and television viewers [9] - The company aims to create a distinctive sports entertainment experience, leveraging the appeal of its unique format to attract a diverse audience [9]
Topgolf Callaway stock jumps 11% after director scoops up more than $2 million worth of shares
CNBC· 2025-06-09 16:56
Core Insights - Topgolf Callaway Brands' stock experienced a surge following a significant share purchase by corporate director Adebayo Ogunlesi, who bought approximately $2.5 million worth of shares [1] - Ogunlesi's purchase is perceived as a vote of confidence in the company, especially given his notable background in the finance sector [1][2] - The stock has faced challenges, with a decline of 9% in 2025 and over 50% in the past year, indicating a negative return since the acquisition announcement in October 2020 [3] Company Background - Adebayo Ogunlesi is the founding partner and CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners, which was acquired by BlackRock in a $12 billion deal last year [2] - Following the acquisition, Ogunlesi joined BlackRock's board and also became a member of the OpenAI board in January [2] Stock Performance - Ogunlesi's recent purchase marks his first acquisition of Topgolf Callaway stock since June 2023, during which shares have dropped about 60% [3] - The overall performance of Topgolf Callaway's stock has been negative since the announcement of its acquisition by Callaway [3]
TKO (TKO) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-08 22:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated revenue of $1,269 million in Q1 2025, an increase of 4% compared to the previous year [21] - Adjusted EBITDA was $417 million, reflecting a 23% increase, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 33%, up from 28% in the prior year [21] - The UFC segment reported revenue of $360 million, a 15% increase, and adjusted EBITDA of $227 million, a 17% increase, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 63%, up from 62% [22] - The WWE segment generated revenue of $392 million, a 24% increase, and adjusted EBITDA of $194 million, a 38% increase, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 50%, up from 44% [25] - The IMG segment reported revenue of $476 million, a decrease of 13%, and adjusted EBITDA of $74 million, a decrease of 10% [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - UFC's Live Events and Hospitality revenue increased by 66% to $59 million, driven by higher site fee revenue and ticket sales [23] - WWE's Live Events and Hospitality revenue increased by 52% to $76 million, primarily due to increased ticket sales [25] - Partnerships and marketing revenue for UFC increased by 32% to $64 million, while WWE's partnerships and marketing revenue surged by 86% to $26 million [23][27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - UFC set new records for live events, including the highest grossing Fight Night in company history in London and the highest grossing indoor arena event in Australia [6] - WWE's WrestleMania 41 became the most successful event ever, breaking records in gate, premium hospitality, viewership, sponsorship, merchandise, and social engagement [10] - WWE's international footprint on Netflix expanded, with significant engagement increases in markets like Mexico, the UK, Australia, and Brazil [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on integrating newly acquired assets IMG, On Location, and PBR to drive top-line growth and cost synergies [5] - A strategic partnership with Meta aims to enhance UFC content through innovative experiences [7] - The company is committed to a robust capital return program while maintaining a strong balance sheet and exploring new opportunities in boxing [36] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted no signs of a slowdown in consumer behavior, with strong performance expected to continue across live events and partnerships [20] - The company raised its full-year guidance, targeting revenue of $4,490 million to $4,560 million and adjusted EBITDA of $1,490 million to $1,530 million [38] - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding the UFC media rights negotiations, emphasizing a flexible approach to maximize long-term brand growth [65] Other Important Information - The company generated $136 million of free cash flow in Q1 2025, with a free cash flow conversion rate of 32% [32] - The company ended the quarter with $2,776 million in debt and $471 million in cash and cash equivalents [35] - The company plans to commence a $2,000 million share repurchase program in the second or third quarter of 2025, subject to market conditions [35] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on UFC rights renewal and free cash flow for 2025 - Management is in discussions with various third parties regarding UFC rights, with ESPN still included in the mix [48] - Free cash flow conversion rate is expected to be over 60%, excluding nonrecurring amounts [50] Question: Economics of the Canelo announcement and boxing strategy - The new boxing organization plans to host an average of 12 fights per year, with separate media rights deals and global partnerships [58] Question: Outperformance in UFC and WWE - Outperformance in Q1 was driven by strong live event and global partnership performance, with confidence in continued momentum [72] Question: Capital returns and share repurchase program - The share repurchase program will be market-driven and opportunistic, with a focus on maintaining cash reserves [78] Question: Growth modeling for the IMG segment - The company intends to provide more transparency and KPIs for the IMG segment, anticipating growth in both revenue and margins [84]