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The article offers a look into the plan of Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer (CEO) of technology company Meta Platforms Inc., for his company, as well as the shift in his public persona. It considers the transformation of Meta's social media platform Facebook and artificial intelligence (AI) strategy as response to the fundamental shift in the high technology industry. It discusses Zuckerberg's goal to be free from reliance on competitors like Alphabet Inc., Google and Microsoft Corp.

SpaceX is preparing to launch its Starship rocket from South Texas, with a test mission that includes an attempt to catch the Super Heavy booster midair with mechanical arms. The rocket is designed to be fully reusable and aims to revolutionize SpaceX's business plan by being cheaper to fly than other rockets on the market. The launch will also test an updated heat shield for the rocket's return plunge through the atmosphere, with the goal of eventually enabling frequent flights to space. President-elect Donald Trump is expected to visit the launch site, highlighting the close relationship between SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and the Trump administration. [Extracted from the article]

Former President Donald Trump is set to attend the launch of Elon Musk's Starship rocket in Texas, showcasing Musk's increasing influence in Trump's political circle. This event follows their attendance at a recent Ultimate Fighting Championship match. Musk has been actively involved in Trump's transition, offering input on cabinet picks and participating in calls with foreign leaders. Trump's presence at the launch highlights the potential benefits for Musk, who supported Trump's campaign financially and personally campaigned for him in key states. Trump's praise for Musk as a "super genius" has contributed to Musk's growing net worth, with Tesla's share price rising after Trump's election victory. [Extracted from the article]

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White anticipates securing a 10-year media rights deal next year, aiming for a long-term partnership. The UFC, under TKO Group Holdings Inc., recently had a successful event at the Sphere in Las Vegas, setting a record for ticket sales. White also hinted at potential involvement in boxing, with a possible announcement in early 2025. [Extracted from the article]

Endeavor Group Holdings Inc. has agreed to sell OpenBet and IMG Arena in a management buyout backed by Ari Emanuel, with participation from OpenBet executives. The buyout group, OB Global Holdings LLC, will acquire the sports data and technology business for about $450 million. This transaction is part of a larger buyout led by private equity group Silver Lake Management, valuing the WME owner at $13 billion. Hollywood superagent Ari Emanuel is raising funds to acquire live-entertainment businesses, including potentially some divisions of his own company. [Extracted from the article]

Hollywood superagent Ari Emanuel is seeking to purchase live-entertainment businesses, potentially including divisions of his own company, Endeavor Group Holdings Inc. He has already raised over $100 million from backers like Apollo Global Management Inc. and is interested in acquiring the Miami Open, Madrid Open, and Frieze Art Fair. Despite Endeavor's sale to Silver Lake Management, Emanuel aims to invest in live events across sports, music, and food, believing in the value of experience businesses. [Extracted from the article]

TKO Group Holdings Inc. is set to acquire three sports businesses from Endeavor Group Holdings Inc. for $3.25 billion in stock, including the Professional Bull Riders league, On Location, and IMG. The acquisition is part of TKO's expansion of live entertainment assets, led by CEO Ari Emanuel and President Mark Shapiro. The deal, approved by TKO's board, is expected to close in the first half of next year, with Endeavor owning about 59% of TKO. [Extracted from the article]

Group One Holdings, the company behind One Championship, a mixed martial arts brand, recently secured a $50 million funding round with investors including the Qatar Investment Authority. This investment values Group One at $1.35 billion, similar to a previous round led by QIA in 2021. Group One has partnerships with BeIN Media Group and Amazon Prime Video for broadcasting events, and is considering an IPO in the US. The company also operates One Esports and has partnerships with various broadcast networks. [Extracted from the article]

Group One Holdings, the company behind One Championship, a mixed martial arts brand, has raised at least $50 million in funding, with Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) among the investors. This funding round values Group One at a minimum of $1.35 billion, similar to a previous round in 2022 led by QIA and Guggenheim Investments. Group One has partnerships with BeIN Media Group and Amazon Prime Video to broadcast events in the Middle East, North Africa, the US, and Canada. The company is considering an IPO in the US in the future. [Extracted from the article]

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) have renewed their five-year media rights agreement, which includes the streaming of AEW content on Warner Bros.' Max platform. AEW Dynamite and AEW Collision wrestling shows will continue to air on Warner Bros.' TBS and TNT networks, and will also be available for live streaming on Max for US subscribers starting in January. This deal could help Warner Bros. expand its live sports offerings after losing the media rights to NBA games. Other streaming platforms, such as Netflix and ESPN+, have also entered the combat sports market. [Extracted from the article]

Instagram's parent company, Meta Platforms Inc., will soon allow users to create their own AI-powered chatbots and add them to their profiles. This feature, called AI Studio, is aimed at creators with professional accounts who can make a custom chatbot that can answer common questions from fans or followers. Additionally, all Instagram users will be able to create themed chatbots for their profiles. Meta has been investing heavily in AI and aims to develop some of the best chatbots in the world. The company recently released a large language model that can solve complex math problems and generate images based on text prompts. [Extracted from the article]

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is expanding into Africa, with Nigeria being a key venue for its first African competition. Starting in May 2025, the PFL plans to hold four events in two regions of the continent, with the goal of hosting events in at least five regions within the first three years. The move into Africa follows the PFL's recent expansion into the Middle East and is part of its ambitious growth plans. The PFL is now valued at approximately $1 billion, double the figure reported in 2022. The African expansion is being overseen by Francis Ngannou, a Cameroonian national and former UFC world heavyweight champion. [Extracted from the article]

Former President Donald Trump has joined TikTok, a Chinese-owned platform that he previously attempted to ban in the US. Trump announced the launch of his TikTok account in a video with Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White. This move adds another platform to Trump's social media presence as he seeks to connect with younger voters. TikTok, owned by ByteDance Ltd., has been engaged in legal battles with US lawmakers over national security concerns, including a recent challenge against President Joe Biden's law to force the Chinese parent company to divest from the app. [Extracted from the article]

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has emerged as the preferred bidder to host a new professional men's tennis tournament, according to sources. The entity, SURJ Sports Investment, would be granted a license for an ATP Masters 1000 event if a deal is reached. Saudi Arabia has been making a push into tennis, signing deals to sponsor the ATP and WTA's official rankings and hosting various tournaments. The country has also expressed interest in taking over the Masters 1000 events in Miami and Madrid. [Extracted from the article]

The article reports on the mixed martial arts company Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). It mentions the leadership of Dana White, the issue of whether UFC forces its athletes while they are injured, and the antitrust lawsuit filed on behalf of the athletes.

TKO Group Holdings Inc., the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), has settled two class-action lawsuits with its fighters for a total of $335 million. The settlement will be paid in installments over an agreed period of time. The fighters had accused the league of using its monopoly power to suppress their compensation, including signing them to extended contracts that prevented them from working elsewhere. Following the announcement of the settlement, shares of TKO rose by 7% in New York. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the phenomenon of key-person risk in Silicon Valley, where the success and value of companies are tied to the behavior and actions of their CEOs. It highlights the risky personal behaviors of some tech CEOs, such as drug use and engaging in high-risk activities like combat sports. The article suggests that the more powerful these CEOs become, the riskier their behavior becomes. It also explores the relationship between power and risk-taking, noting that power can lead to more optimistic perceptions of the outcome and a willingness to take risks. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for boards to ensure that CEOs' risk-taking remains healthy and beneficial for the organization. [Extracted from the article]

The Professional Fighters League (PFL), a Mixed Martial Arts company, will be launching its inaugural season in the Middle East in May with the support of Saudi Arabia. Riyadh will serve as a host city for some of the league's events, and the PFL plans to increase its investments in the region. The PFL aims to compete with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and has already invested $250 million in global expansion. Saudi Arabia's SRJ Sports Investment Co. has invested $100 million in the PFL and is a 50/50 partner in the Middle East season. The PFL is also exploring opportunities to establish competitions in Africa, Australia, and Latin America. The company recently renewed its media deal with ESPN and acquired rival MMA company Bellator. The PFL's founder, Donn Davis, ruled out acquiring more MMA companies and expressed a desire to cooperate with the UFC. The PFL aims to become a world leader in MMA within the next five years. [Extracted from the article]

Netflix has acquired the exclusive rights to World Wrestling Entertainment's (WWE) "Raw" and other programming, marking its first foray into live events. The streaming giant will pay $5 billion over a 10-year period for the rights, representing a 30% increase on the current payments for "Raw." The deal includes other WWE shows and specials, as well as pay-per-view events, which will be available to Netflix customers at no additional cost. This move by Netflix aims to attract millions of loyal WWE viewers and boost its advertising-supported plan. [Extracted from the article]

Netflix has acquired the exclusive rights to World Wrestling Entertainment's (WWE) programming, including Raw, Smackdown, NXT, and pay-per-view events like Wrestlemania. This move marks Netflix's first foray into live events and aims to attract millions of loyal WWE viewers to its platform. The WWE's consistent live audience, although scripted, draws similarities to a sporting event. The deal is part of a larger trend of major live events shifting from cable TV to streaming platforms. [Extracted from the article]

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced its first pay-per-view event in Saudi Arabia, where its champions will face off against former belt holders from rival MMA company Bellator. The event, called Champions vs. Champions, is part of Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season and will take place on February 24. The PFL, which recently sold a minority stake to Saudi Arabia's new sports fund, is aiming to challenge the dominance of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in the MMA market. The PFL's expansion plans also include launching PFL Africa in the next year. [Extracted from the article]

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced its first pay-per-view event in Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the country's new sports fund. The event, called Champions vs. Champions, will feature PFL's champions facing off against former belt holders from Bellator in Riyadh. The PFL aims to challenge the dominance of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and has recently acquired Bellator. The fight card will take place on February 24 as part of Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season festival. The PFL also plans to expand into Africa with PFL Africa in the near future. [Extracted from the article]

The Professional Fighters League (PFL), a relatively new mixed martial arts company, has acquired rival Bellator MMA in an effort to compete with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. The PFL, backed by Saudi Arabia's sports fund, aims to position itself as a major player in the MMA industry and has recently signed notable fighters such as Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul. The PFL plans to continue the Bellator brand and introduce new events, including a championship series and matches between PFL and Bellator champions. [Extracted from the article]

The Professional Fighters League (PFL), a relatively new mixed martial arts company backed by Saudi Arabia's sports fund, has acquired rival Bellator MMA in an effort to compete with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. The PFL, known for its $1 million prize money for champions in each weight class, recently signed former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and expressed interest in collaborating with the UFC. The PFL's upcoming championship will take place in Washington, DC, and the organization is in talks to hold a championship in Saudi Arabia in 2024. [Extracted from the article]

Read More: Meta's Zuckerberg Spends More on Security in Year of Efficiency (Updates to add details about security costs for Zuckerberg in fifth paragraph.) (Bloomberg) -- Meta Platforms Inc. Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg underwent surgery to repair a torn knee ligament sustained during a mixed martial arts session, he said Friday in a post on Instagram. [Extracted from the article]

"Tore my ACL sparring and just got out of surgery to replace it", Zuckerberg wrote in the caption of a post with a series of photos showing him in a hospital bed, his knee bandaged and in a brace. (Bloomberg) -- Meta Platforms Inc. Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg underwent surgery to repair a torn knee ligament sustained during a mixed martial arts session, he said Friday in a post on Instagram. [Extracted from the article]

"Silver Lake is committed to strategies that deliver value for all shareholders of Endeavor", the private equity group said in a statement. Silver Lake, which holds a 71% voting stake in Endeavor, said in a statement late Wednesday that it's not interested in selling its holdings and "firmly believes in Endeavor's business." (Bloomberg) -- Silver Lake Management, the private equity group, is considering making a takeover bid for Endeavor Group Holdings Inc., the talent agency and entertainment company behind World Wrestling and Ultimate Fighting Championship. [Extracted from the article]

"Anheuser-Busch and Bud Light were UFC's original beer sponsors more than 15 years ago", UFC Chief Executive Officer Dana White said in a statement Tuesday. (Bloomberg) -- The Ultimate Fighting Championship has signed a multiyear sponsorship deal with brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev NV and its Bud Light brand, which is still rebounding from a boycott-driven sales decline earlier this year. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Mixed martial arts star Francis Ngannou is in the final week of training for his first professional boxing match that will reportedly pay him $10 million, which is 16 times more than his most recent MMA bout. Ngannou, who oddsmakers see as a big underdog against Fury, was able to take part in a boxing match because of a unique contract with the PFL, which was founded by venture capitalist Donn Davis. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses six sports that are different from mainstream sports and are attracting people in their 20's who are looking for a thrill. Skateboarding on the water, beach tennis, virtual battles, bicycle motorcross (BMX), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) cage fights, and modern-day ninja battles are the new sports that are focused on big thrills, and eventually, big money.

Its rights to air WWE's Monday Night Raw and WWE NXT expire next September and the network doesn't expect to renew them. (Bloomberg) -- World Wresting owner TKO Group Holdings Inc. fell as much as 16% in New York Thursday after a new deal to broadcast its matches on the USA Network disappointed some investors. [Extracted from the article]

USA's rights to air WWE's Monday Night Raw and WWE NXT are set to expire in September 2024 and the network does not expect to renew them. (Bloomberg) -- Comcast Corp.'s NBCUniversal has reached a five-year deal to air WWE's Friday Night SmackDown, taking over broadcast rights that have belonged to Fox Corp. since 2019. [Extracted from the article]

Read more: Billionaire Pinault in Talks to Buy Majority of Hollywood's CAA Rumors about CAA's future have swirled for years because private equity firms don't typically own companies for years and years. (Bloomberg) -- French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault is close to a $7 billion deal to buy a majority stake in Creative Artists Agency, the Hollywood talent giant that's home to actor Brad Pitt and basketball's Chris Paul, according to people familiar with the matter. [Extracted from the article]

McMahon, 77, owns 92% of WWE's Class B supervoting shares, according to an April filing. (Bloomberg) -- Vince McMahon, World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.'s executive chairman, was served with a federal search warrant and grand jury subpoena related to allegations that he paid millions of dollars to settle sexual misconduct claims. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Vince McMahon, World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.'s executive chairman, was served with a federal search warrant and grand jury subpoena. WWE also said that on July 21 McMahon went on medical leave related to major spinal surgery. [Extracted from the article]

Stephen Pagliuca, co-owner of the NBA's Boston Celtics and former co-chairman of Bain Capital, started practicing mixed martial arts this year, he said in an interview. (Bloomberg) -- As mixed martial arts continue to attract interest from investors, some of them are even trying it out. [Extracted from the article]

"You see UFC more of the limelight then boxing because they get the fights that the people want, and people are excited to follow the fighters because they know what fights are coming up", Garcia said. (Bloomberg) -- Ryan Garcia wants to dodge the web of boxing promoters, managers and broadcasters and bring big fights back into the mainstream. [Extracted from the article]

French President Emmanuel Macron said on a visit to China that the Asian country can play a "major role" in Ukraine while adding that he opposes moves to decouple from the world's second-biggest economy. (Bloomberg) -- President Volodymyr Zelenskiy started a visit to Poland, one of Ukraine's staunchest allies, to discuss defense and economic cooperation. [Extracted from the article]

NATO foreign ministers held a second day of talks in Brussels on Wednesday, focusing on threats and spending after Finland became the 31st member of the military alliance. (Bloomberg) -- President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Poland, one of Ukraine's staunchest allies, to discuss defense and economic cooperation. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Poland for an official visit to discuss defense and economic cooperation. Poland has been one of Ukraine's staunchest allies since Russia's invasion began. [Extracted from the article]

The combination of the two companies has "knockout potential" that should drive long-term shareholder value, BofA analyst Jessica Reif Ehrlich said in a note reiterating her buy rating on Endeavor. (Bloomberg) -- World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. shares surged 8.9% Tuesday to its highest level in nearly four years as Wall Street analysts defended its deal with Endeavor Group Holdings Inc.'s mixed martial arts league, Ultimate Fighting Championship. [Extracted from the article]

"We maintain our buy rating on WWE as we expect investors to shift their focus to the US rights renewal", analyst Jason Bazinet wrote in a note. (Bloomberg) -- World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. shares surged as much as 9.4%, nearing an all-time high Tuesday as Wall Street analysts defended its deal with Endeavor Group Holdings Inc.'s mixed martial arts league, Ultimate Fighting Championship. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Endeavor Group Holdings Inc. is nearing a deal to acquire World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., according to people familiar with the matter. Vince McMahon, WWE's 77-year-old controlling shareholder, reinstated himself as executive chairman in January to oversee a strategic review of the company. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- New Zealand Rugby is seeking feedback on the proposed sale of up to NZ$100 million ($62 million) of shares in its commercial operations to local institutions, which would give them a stake in the business of the iconic All Black brand. The proposed capital raise was first announced last year when US private equity firm Silver Lake secured a 5.71% stake in NZR Commercial for NZ$200 million, valuing the business at NZ$3.5 billion. [Extracted from the article]

Barrack described his plan to court Sheikh Tahnoon through their shared hobbies, a bit of Hollywood glamour but also curiosity about his friend Trump. In their May 2016 meeting, Barrack said he and Sheikh Tahnoon talked about fitness, including how a diet had left the sheikh in "amazing shape" with perhaps just 2% body fat. [Extracted from the article]

In their May 2016 meeting, Barrack said he and Sheikh Tahnoon talked about fitness, including how a diet had left the sheikh in "amazing shape" with perhaps just 2% body fat. Barrack described his plan to court Sheikh Tahnoon through their shared hobbies, a bit of Hollywood glamour but also curiosity about his friend Trump. [Extracted from the article]

The pact will allow Doha-based BeIN to distribute mixed martial arts content to its audience in Arabic and English in 24 territories in the region to meet growing demand, according to a statement by the companies Thursday. (Bloomberg) -- Group One Holdings, the company behind mixed martial arts brand One Championship, agreed to a multiyear partnership with Qatar's BeIN Media Group to broadcast its events live across the Middle East and North Africa. [Extracted from the article]

Abramovich, who transformed Chelsea's fortunes since his 2003 purchase, isn't among the Russians sanctioned by the U.K. in response to the invasion of Ukraine. (Bloomberg) -- Owners of the Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball team are weighing an offer to buy Chelsea Football Club, which is being sold by billionaire Roman Abramovich in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sky News reported. [Extracted from the article]