In Good Company with Nicolai Tangen HIGHLIGHTS: Ariel Emanuel - CEO of TKO Group Holdings
16 snips
Oct 24, 2025 
Ariel Emanuel, CEO of TKO Group Holdings and the mastermind behind Endeavor, discusses his remarkable journey from the mailroom to leading major acquisitions like UFC and WWE. He reveals his strategy of evolving from representation to ownership, sharing insights on negotiating billion-dollar deals. Ariel reflects on the portrayal of his character in 'Entourage' and emphasizes the importance of diverse voices in leadership. He also explores the complexities of operating dynamic sports businesses and the future of live-events in a changing world.
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Representation To Ownership Shift
- Emanuel transitioned Endeavor from pure representation toward ownership to extract greater global value from represented assets.
- He added content and sports rights globally, then sold that business for a billion dollars.
From Mailroom To Founder
- Ariel Emanuel started in the mailroom making 15 cents a mile before becoming an agent and founding Endeavor in 1995.
- A car accident and recovery prompted him to leave and build his own company to pursue his vision.
Adapt Agency Skills Continuously
- Constantly adapt your agency skillset to include marketing, licensing, merchandising, and books to serve clients best.
- Expand into new platforms like podcasts and Instagram rather than waiting to be disintermediated.