UFC White House event to cost ‘upwards of $60 million,’ exec says

This year is filled with major sporting events in the United States, including the first-of-its-kind UFC card at the White House.

However, it is stated that the event planned to be held on June 14 will cost the UFC quite expensive.

Mark Shapiro, president and chief operating officer of TKO Group Holdings, spoke about the White House event on a quarterly financial call and said he expected a price tag of “over $60 million” for the promotion.

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“This could move north until everything is said and done with the event and the money we’re going to pay the fighters and the fan festival we’re going to have,” Shapiro said of the expected cost of putting the event together. per SB Country. “It’s definitely not moving south. It could move north. As a result, it’s still a moving target.”

TKO Group Holdings is handling all expenses for the event, including building an arena on the South Lawn of the White House and paying the fighters. The UFC hopes to recoup at least half of that $60 million through sponsorships and other means, but it’s still expected to be a big loss.

“On a parallel track, we are working on and around the weekend, primarily with corporate partners, to determine the inventory package of events we can monetize,” Shapiro continued. “[Business to business] players who will recoup half the expense. Even if it’s $60 [million] “If it increases or comes at us, we believe we can cover half the expense.”

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Shapiro said there are “several current and potential partners pursuing multi-year partnerships” with TKO that would include the White House event.

It’s no surprise for TKO and the UFC that the price tag is this high, as the promotion’s CEO Dana White has previously stated that this will be one of their most expensive events in history.

UFC CEO Dana White (left) speaks with President-elect Donald Trump at ringside during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)

After all, everyone involved wants to do whatever it takes to make this event one of the greatest events in American history, especially since it’s heavily involved in America 250 celebrations this year.

“I want to be clear on one thing; we will not be making a profit independently of the White House event,” Shapiro said. “We will not be making money on America’s 250th anniversary.

“This is a long-term investment. This is about earned media. It’s about sampling, it’s about new fans, it’s about casual audiences, it’s about a stage show that will ultimately expand our audience, our viewership and our success on Paramount+.”

UFC CEO and president Dana White during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024. (Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)

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White had previously promised “the greatest fight card ever put together” for this event. Many superstar fighters have publicly lobbied for a spot on this card, although negotiations have yet to begin.

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