TKO Employees Reportedly Unhappy With Company Holding Events in Saudi Arabia

TKO employees are reportedly unhappy with the company continuing to run events in Saudi Arabia despite escalating tensions in the region.

WWE went ahead with the Crown Jewel Premium Live Event this past weekend despite several security alerts issued by the US Embassy in Riyadh and the Department of State. It took place a day after a Power Slap event in the region. Notably, a missile attack took place in Riyadh’s financial district shortly after WWE talent left the country. Additionally, a Zuffa boxing event and a UFC event are scheduled in Saudi Arabia on November 14 and December 5, respectively.

A report from Ben Fowlkes of Uncrowned now claims that TKO employees are frustrated with the company continuing to hold events in the region, with one employee bluntly stating that TKO’s level of greed is “gross.”

“Why are you still even having these shows at this point? I think the answer is, if they chose not to do the show, they would lose out on millions and millions of dollars. If we don’t do the shows in Saudi Arabia or [United Arab Emirates] or Doha or wherever we are going, then our fourth-quarter earnings will be off and our shareholders aren’t going to get their money. So it’s all about greed. They don’t care about anybody’s well-being. The level of greed with this company is so gross,” an unnamed employee said.

With Six Kings Slam tennis and the PIF Saudi International golf tournaments postponed after the attack, another source wondered why TKO can’t do the same.

“All [TKO executives] talk about is if the State Department says it is OK to fly there. The rest of us are like, ‘If the State Department has to think about it at all, let’s just postpone.’ That’s what all the other sports are doing. Why can’t TKO?” another source wondered.

“They don’t f***ing care about you one bit” an anonymous TKO employee

Despite TKO President Mark Shapiro claiming that the company would not hesitate to cancel its events should there be an escalation, another source told Ben Fowlkes of Uncrowned that the top brass doesn’t care about its employees and there’s no backup plan either.

“Not one email has gone out saying, ‘Here are the details and the plans for December 5th.’ That’s crazy. They don’t tell you anything. They just throw it at you. How about a backup plan? How about a safety letter? ‘Hey, if x happens, we go do y. We’ll all meet here. We’ll do this. We’ll do that.’ Nothing,” another source said.

Another one added, “They don’t f***ing care about you one bit. People are just getting tired of the way they’re getting treated. They get treated like s***, and everybody’s tired of it. The lack of communication, the greed, the lack of appreciation—people are just sick of it.”

TKO employees resigned to fate

“Everyone is talking about the Middle East shows. Who has to go, and who can get out of going. Some people say they are waiting until the time to fly comes and telling [executives] that they won’t go. But I don’t know how many will follow through with that. This is a company that can fire you for no reason or any reason. Everyone just can’t believe this is a choice that they are being forced to make—fly into a war zone or risk getting fired before Christmas,” another source said.

Another added, “We’ve come to the realization, this is what it is. We’re going to either have to accept it or leave, because nothing’s going to change at this point. But it’s time to get called out. People think it’s fine and you get taken care of. People realize the fighters get paid s***. I mean, that’s obvious. You guys have covered that aspect of it. People know, and the fighters are starting to speak up for themselves, but it doesn’t stop with them. That’s the message I want to get across. Everyone across the whole company gets treated like s***, whether you’re a fighter or a camera guy.”