Dana White, president and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), is ready to explore a new challenge outside the octagon. On Monday, it was announced that White will join the board of directors of Meta, the parent company of platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Threads and WhatsApp.
Speaking after the announcement, White expressed his excitement, “I was never interested in joining a board of directors until I received Meta’s offer. I’m a big believer that social media and artificial intelligence are the future.” This decision marks White’s first step into the world of technology and artificial intelligence.
META AND WHITE: A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND PARTNERSHIP
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO and co-founder of Meta, also showed his enthusiasm at this addition. “Dana will bring a unique perspective that will help us address the enormous opportunities ahead with AI, wearable devices and the future of human connection,” Zuckerberg said in a statement.
While White has no prior tech experience, his success in turning UFC into a global phenomenon is enough of an endorsement for Meta. “There’s nothing I love more than building brands, and I’m eager to help take Meta to the next level,” White added. Undoubtedly, his ability to manage international business will be key for Meta, which operates in a competitive global marketplace.
WHITE’S UPS AND DOWNS OUTSIDE THE UFC
Outside the UFC, White’s projects have not been as successful. In 2021, he was executive producer of the surfing show ‘The Ultimate Surfer,’ which was canceled after one season due to low ratings. More recently, he co-founded Power Slap, a slap competition that moved from TBS to air solely on the Rumble platform.
Despite these setbacks, White remains an influential figure in sports and business. In 2023, ‘Sports Illustrated’ recognized him as one of the most influential figures in sports, and in 2024 he received similar honors from ‘Sports Business Journal’ and ‘Variety.’ This track record reinforces confidence that White will be a valuable asset to Meta.
NEW META BOARD
White will not be the only new face on Meta’s board. Joining him are John Elkann, CEO of Exor, and Charlie Songhurst, a technology investor. These additions expand the board to 13 members, including Marc L. Andreessen, Drew Houston and Tony Xu.
Meta is looking to leverage the diverse expertise of its members to drive its vision for the future in artificial intelligence, technology devices and social networking. With Dana White in its ranks, the company hopes to combine technological innovation with the strategic capabilities the UFC CEO has demonstrated in his career.
INNOVATION AND GLOBAL CONNECTION
The addition of White reflects a strategic move by Meta to integrate leaders with experience in building global brands. As the company continues to invest in artificial intelligence and new technologies, having a figure like White can be crucial to strengthening its position in an ever-evolving market.
This move underscores how Meta continues to reinvent itself, looking to not only lead the present, but also shape the future of social media and technology.
