Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson can add another title to his resume, not an Oscar, but another title nonetheless. The 10-time world champion has joined TKO Group Holdings Inc’s board of directors.
TKO Group Holdings was formed by Endeavor which merged major companies WWE and UFC. Adding to joining the board, he has also claimed full ownership of “The Rock” trademark.
Johnson surprisingly appeared early January on WWE’s Monday night RAW, where he teased a possibly feud with the reigning WWE champion, Roman Reigns.
“My grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, and my dad, Rocky ‘Soulman’ Johnson, would’ve never thought this day would come,” Johnson said in a statement. “Which is why I’m very humbled to have a seat at the table that has decades of history and legacy for me. A table that my family helped to build. Being on the TKO Board of Directors, and taking full ownership of my name, ‘The Rock’, is not only unprecedented, but incredibly inspiring as my crazy life is coming full circle.”
With Johnson taking full ownership of the “The Rock” trademark and other certain related trademarks, ring names, taglines and other intellectual property (“IP”). This allows the actor to exploit the brand name the best way he can. Johnson will be licensing the use of that IP back to WWE for the next 10 years. In addition, he has entered into the Independent Services contract and a merchandising agreement with the WWE. This will provide him “certain promotional and other services.”
Johnson received stocks valued at $30 million as part of that deal, to be paid out over the next two years. He was previously under a royalty deal with the WWE, which earned him $491,000 in 2023. He will continue to receive royalties in connection with sales and licensed products that utilize the IP under the aforementioned licensing arrangement.
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