The Ultimate Fighting Championship continues to be a major source
of profit for parent company Endeavor.
Endeavor held an earnings report call on Tuesday, where it revealed
that its owned sports properties — led by the UFC — generated 1.3
billion in revenue in 2022, which is $224.1 million more (20
percent) than 2021. According to a
summary posted by Endeavor, “growth for the year was driven by
increased media rights fees at UFC, as well as greater sponsorship,
licensing, commercial PPV and event related revenue from more UFC
events with live audiences.” Other sports properties owned by the
company include Professional Bull Riders and 10 minor league
baseball franchises.
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“All 21 UFC events with live audiences sold out, continuing a 29
event sell out streak since returning from the pandemic. UFC posted
its best sponsorship year ever in 2022, unlocking new categories
and inventory to reach a fan base that grew double digits over 2021
in the U.S,” Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel said on the call
(transcription via
MMAFighting.com)
“It also continues to be an industry leader in digital engagement.
UFC’s social media accounts now have over 220 million followers
combined. TikTok followers alone grew 55 percent year over
year.”
Endeavor CEO Jason Lublin elaborated on the sponsorship growth for
the UFC.
“UFC also had its highest sponsorship sales in the company’s
history,” Lublin said. “We added several new sponsors to our roster
like V-Chain, New Amsterdam Vodka, and Project Rock. We also
introduced new categories like the official commercial truck, the
official law firm, and the official ready-to-drink partners of the
UFC.”
According to Lublin, the UFC set 11 arena records for highest
grossing events, which included the two-highest grossing UFC Fight
Night events in promotion history — both at the O2 Arena in London.
While the UFC has held a majority of its Fight Night cards at the
UFC Apex in Las Vegas since the onset of the pandemic, Lublin
expects the organization to hit the road more in the coming
year.
“At UFC, we anticipate the same total number of events but with
more U.S. events outside of our APEX arena, more international
events and overall more marquee events, all which carry a higher
cost structure,” Lublin said. “This in turn impacts margins.”