UFC and WWE owners TKO appoint Dwayne Johnson to board of directors

TKO Holdings Group – which owns both the UFC and WWE – has appointed Dwayne Johnson to its board of directors.

In a statement released on Tuesday, TKO confirmed the appointment of the A-List actor and wrestling legend effective immediately and cited his ‘significant experience identifying and cultivating revenue generating media rights, live events, sponsorship, licensing, and social media opportunities’ as some of the key factors in the decision.

It was also announced that WWE has entered into a services and merchandising agreement with Johnson, who made his name as ‘The Rock’ in the company before leaving to pursue acting and other business ventures, which sees him secure ownership of the trademark name.

In exchange, Johnson will provide promotional, licensing, and other services to the company.

What has been said about the appointment

“My grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, and my dad, Rocky ‘Soulman’ Johnson, would’ve never thought this day would come,” Johnson said. “Which is why I’m very humbled to have a seat at the table that has decades of history and family legacy for me.

“A table that my family helped to build. Being on the TKO Board of Directors, and taking full ownership of my name, ‘The Rock’, is not only unprecedented, but incredibly inspiring as my crazy life is coming full circle. At my core, I’m a builder who builds for and serves the people, and Ari is building something truly game changing.

“I’m very motivated to help continue to globally expand our TKO, WWE, and UFC businesses as the worldwide leaders in sports and entertainment — while proudly representing so many phenomenal athletes and performers who show up every day putting in the hard work with their own two hands to make their dreams come true and deliver for our audiences. I’ve been there, I’m still there and this is for them.”

Ariel Emanuel, CEO, TKO, said: “I am thrilled to partner with Dwayne and welcome his immense talent to TKO’s Board. Dwayne brings an incredible track record of creating content and building globally recognized consumer brands, and he will play a key role in realizing our ambitions for TKO.”

TKO has also announced the addition of Brad Keywell to board which takes the board’s members from 11 to 13.

The announcement comes at a particularly interesting time as there is growing speculation that Johnson could return to the ring to face off with his cousin, the Undisputed Universal Champion, Roman Reigns, at Wrestlemania 40 in Philadelphia this April.

The fact that Johnson mentions getting a ‘seat at the table, a table that my family helped build’ in his statement will not have gone unnoticed by fans. Reigns sits at the ‘head of the table’ in the Bloodline and a match between the pair will likely decide who is at the top of famous wrestling family.