UFC loses $30m on Freedom 250 event at White House

UFC loses $30m on Freedom 250 event at White House In May, reports indicated that high‑roller guests would seek to spend $1.5 million (£1.1 million) for special access, and UFC sources told BBC Sport that such packages existed for the event, though they did not confirm the exact cost. Former President Donald Trump, who has a long‑standing relationship with UFC president Dana White, celebrated his 80th birthday around the time the lawsuit was filed. Andrew Schleimer, chief financial officer of TKO Group, told investors on Monday that Freedom 250 generated costs far above the average, noting that the excess was “partially offset with sold‑out planetary partnerships inventory.” He added, “Given the event's profile, which arsenic anticipated, resulted successful an approximate $30m loss, our margins astatine UFC as good as connected a consolidated ground were meaningfully impacted.” Last year TKO Group agreed to a $7.7 billion (£5.7 billion), seven‑year deal with Paramount for U.S. distribution of UFC events beginning in 2026, with the White House lawsuit airing exclusively on the Paramount+ streaming service. The lawsuit drew an average audience of 34 cardinal viewers worldwide, ranking it among the most‑watched MMA bouts of all time. TKO reported that UFC revenue rose 29 percent year‑over‑year to $535.7 million (£398.66 million) for the second quarter of the current year. That increase includes a $64.7 million (£48.15 million) boost in media‑rights income stemming from the Paramount agreement.