Prime Highlights:
UFC CEO and long-time friend of President-elect Donald Trump, Dana White, is appointed to Meta’s board two weeks before Trump’s inauguration.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg commended White for transforming UFC into one of the world’s most successful and rapidly growing sports organizations.
Key Background:
Dana White, the CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), is joining the board of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, just two weeks before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. This marks a significant move for White, a long-time friend of Trump, who has helmed UFC since 2001.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced White’s appointment in a post, praising his leadership in transforming UFC into one of the world’s most valuable, fastest-growing, and widely recognized sports organizations. Zuckerberg highlighted White’s entrepreneurial skills and his ability to build a beloved brand. White’s association with Zuckerberg also extends beyond business, with Zuckerberg having shown enthusiasm for mixed martial arts (MMA) in recent years. The Meta CEO has attended numerous UFC events and trained in MMA himself, even suffering an ACL tear while preparing for a potential competitive fight.
In addition to White’s appointment, Zuckerberg revealed other new members joining Meta’s board. John Elkann, the CEO of Exor, an Italian holding company, and Charlie Songhurst, former Microsoft executive, will also bring their expertise to the company. Elkann, who oversees major automobile companies such as Stellantis and Ferrari, and Songhurst, who has contributed to Meta’s AI and technology strategies, will play pivotal roles as the company moves forward.
White’s appointment comes amid a backdrop of significant ties between the UFC and Trump. The two have a close relationship, with White appearing alongside Trump on election night in November. White’s influence in UFC and his long-standing friendship with Trump further highlight the intersection of sports, business, and politics.
However, White has also been the subject of controversy. In 2021, a video surfaced of him slapping his wife at a New Year’s Eve party in Mexico. He publicly apologized, and his wife described the incident as an isolated one. This reshaping of Meta’s board signals the company’s ambitions to enhance its presence in artificial intelligence, wearables, and the future of social media.