In Good Company with Nicolai Tangen Ariel Emanuel: UFC, WWE, Hollywood and the future of live entertainment
35 snips
Oct 22, 2025 
Ariel Emanuel, CEO of TKO and the mastermind behind Endeavor, shares his journey from a mailroom clerk to leading a media empire. He discusses negotiating billion-dollar deals and acquiring UFC and WWE, highlighting the unique value of combat sports. Emanuel reflects on the changing landscape of sports consumption and how he blends real and choreographed events. He also delves into his daily fitness routines, leadership philosophy, and the importance of resilience and adaptability in business.
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From Mailroom To Starting Endeavor
- Ariel Emanuel started in the mailroom and rose to found Endeavor in 1995 after recovering from being hit by a car.
- His first clients included Amy Lippman and Greg Daniels, won partly by relentless cold-calling.
Agents Became The New Content Composers
- Agents now act as composers of content by packaging ideas and services across many distribution channels.
- Emanuel argues ideas matter more than ever because agencies must be full-service around marketing, licensing and content creation.
Negotiate Privately And Protect Your Reputation
- Keep negotiations private, respect your negotiator, and adapt strategy to the situation.
- Be honorable, keep your word, and recognize that reputation matters for future deals.