SEC filings on Thursday revealed the executive compensation for TKO Group Holdings which own the UFC and WWE. Notably, CEO Ari Emanuel led the report with an estimated $67.4 million.
The amount includes stock wards of $44M and $8.1M in non-equity incentives. The non-equity incentives include an aircraft for personal use. In addition, Emanuel received his $3M salary and another $11.9M in a cash bonus. The salary has spiked from 2024 when he made a paltry $18.4M total. This totals $67.4M.
The filing states that Mark Shapiro, President and Chief Operating Officer received $42.6M in 2024. would receive $4M in salary and a $12.5M cash bonus. He also received stock in the amount of $25.8M.
WWE President Nick Kahn made $24.28M with a $2M base salary. He received stock awards of $11.5M and a bonus payment of $10.75 million.
Also disclosed was the compensation made by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson who is on the Board of TKO. He received $900K in royalties from a licensing agreement with TKO and was reimbursed for $600K of travel expenses. He also received a $30M award of restricted stock units, which is fully vested and exercisable. Notably, this stock award allows for Johnson to “cash out” at “any time” without restriction since they are “fully vested.”
The revelation of the payments reveal that TKO had a great 2025. The financial packages were voted on by the TKO Board of Directors and are based on these executives meeting financial benchmarks set by the company. Note the astronomical raise by Emmanuel. The WWE and UFC revenues greatly affected the compensation of these executives and we will see how 2026 will pan out for them.
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