TKO Group, the publicly listed combined ownership company of mixed martial arts promotion UFC, professional wrestling promotion WWE, and heavyweight sports agency IMG, recorded increased revenue and profits year-on-year (YoY) during the second financial quarter of 2025.
During the second quarter (Q2), TKO brought in total revenue of $1.308 billion, up 10% YoY from $1.193 billion the prior year.
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Net income came to $273.1 million during the three months up to June 30, up from $46.2 million the prior year – a $226.9 million increase.
Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, and amortization) at TKO, meanwhile, came to $526.5 million in Q2, up significantly – 75% – from $300.8 million the prior year.
Both UFC and WWE reported year-on-year revenue rises, while IMG's numbers dropped from $319.6 to $306.6 million YoY.
WWE's figures specifically increased from Q2 2024 by over $99 million. These results have been released in the wake of the wrestling promotion striking a deal with heavyweight sports broadcaster ESPN in the US, through which ESPN has secured rights to all premium live events organized by the promotion.
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By GlobalDataThe escalation of the promotion's global deal with Netflix, which came into effect in January, for the Monday Night Raw flagship show, is a primary factor behind the media rights income increase.
UFC recorded a Q2 rise in revenue (5%) from media rights, production, and content, as well as from partnerships and marketing, with WWE (22%) reporting rises in these income segments, as well as in live events and hospitality, and consumer products licensing.
Overall, in Q2, UFC brought in $415.9 million in revenue, with WWE securing $556.2 million.
At IMG, the 4% drop in year-on-year revenue came through decreases in media rights, production, and content revenue, and in partnerships and marketing income.
TKO has commented that the downturn in media rights, production, and content revenue was "related to no longer having rights to the FA Cup [English men's soccer's primary knockout cup competition] in the current year period."
However, this was partially offset by a range of new production agreements, including with the Saudi Pro League.
Adjusted EBITDA for IMG, meanwhile, increased by $120.2 million, to $29 million.
In February, TKO completed the acquisition of IMG, as well as events and hospitality firm On Location, and the bull riding touring competition Professional Bull Riders (PBR) from parent company Endeavor.
Ariel Emanuel, TKO's executive chair and chief executive, has now said: "Our live content and experiences are proving a key differentiator for organizations and brands looking to capture audience, and our strategy is tailor-made for today’s experience economy and the white-hot sports event marketplace. Given the continued momentum across our portfolio and our overall business outlook, we are raising our guidance for the full year.”
A June payment of $125 million into escrow, connected to a UFC antitrust lawsuit that was settled last September, has also been recorded. This payment followed two others – for the same amount each time – last October, and then in February.
As a result of its Q2 performance, TKO has raised its full-year revenue target range to between $4.63 billion and $4.69 billion, and its adjusted EBITDA target range to between $1.54 billion and $1.56 billion.
In Q1, TKO achieved a 4% year-on-year revenue rise, to $1.27 billion, meanwhile.
Last week, meanwhile, the company appointed Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Sana Shuaib to a senior commercial role. Shuaib will serve as senior vice president of partnership, marketing, and digital.
In the role, she will lead marketing and commercial strategy for all partnerships across TKO’s global sports and entertainment portfolio, including for UFC, WWE, and PBR, and will be tasked with securing new partnerships and renewing existing brand relationships.
