UFC CEO Dana White and Tesla CEO Elon Musk are making headlines for their shared stance against corporate pressure and sponsorship interference.
White recently revealed a past confrontation with an unnamed UFC sponsor who demanded the removal of his pro-Donald Trump social media post. White boldly responded with a resounding "Go f*** yourself," emphasizing his refusal to succumb to pressure, regardless of financial incentives.
In a parallel scenario, Elon Musk echoed White's sentiments amid a wave of advertisers leaving Twitter due to anti-Semitic content. At the DealBook Conference, Musk bluntly stated, "If somebody is going to try to blackmail me with advertising, blackmail me with money, go f*** yourself."
The UFC's top executive expressed solidarity with Elon Musk during the UFC Austin post-fight press conference, highlighting a growing sentiment among business leaders. He emphasized that sponsorship does not grant control over the business, and he will not tolerate external directives, according to a report from MMA Fighting.
UFC President Dana White looks on during the UFC 273 event at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on April 9, 2022, in Jacksonville, Florida.
Dana White vs. Peloton
White's determination to maintain autonomy extends beyond social media, as he took a stand against Peloton after it asked comedian Theo Von to remove a podcast episode featuring an interview with Robert Kennedy Jr., resulting in a call for the removal of all Peloton bikes from UFC gyms.
For the UFC, Dana White has adopted a new approach, viewing sponsorships as relationships that align with his beliefs. This philosophy guided the recent multi-year deal with Bud Light. White firmly asserts that he won't compromise his principles for sponsorships and expects alignment in values.
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In a bold declaration, White pledged never to entertain calls instructing him on matters related to his company. His stance echoes Musk's colorful response to advertisers, as he stated, "Don't ever f****** call me and tell me what you want me to do because you sponsor us."
White makes it unequivocally clear that sponsorship does not equate to control, and those companies and individuals seeking to influence the UFC against its principles need not apply.
Over 100 Companies Suspend Ads on X
Last week, Elon Musk addressed concerns about his recent antisemitic posts during the DealBook conference, expressing a mix of apology and defiance. According to The Verge, Musk urged advertisers to stop if they attempted to "blackmail" him. He specifically called out Disney CEO Bob Iger, responding to Iger's earlier comments about not wanting Disney associated with the X (formerly Twitter) owner.
The tech mogul acknowledged the potential impact of the advertiser boycott, suggesting it could lead to the demise of X, emphasizing the company's fate would be tied to the boycott.
Musk's message to advertisers followed what initially seemed like an effort to repair the fallout from his characterization of an antisemitic post as the "actual truth" two weeks ago. Over 100 brands have suspended their advertisements, posing a potential loss of $75 million for the company by the year's end, as reported by The New York Times.
In a recent update, Walmart has ceased advertising on X, becoming the latest significant company to make this decision. According to a spokesperson for Walmart, they have opted for alternative platforms that offer more effective reach to their customers. The spokesperson did not disclose the effective date of the change or the specific reasons behind it, per Fortune.
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