Dana White | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #470

Theo Von・2 minutes read

Dana White discusses various topics like slap events, music preferences, and the impact of the pandemic on events, emphasizing loyalty, teamwork, and personal values in business and partnerships. White also touches on star-building projects, gambling in sports, political friendships, and the importance of personal character over political beliefs for a successful business.

Insights

Slap events, gaining social media traction, have surpassed major sports leagues combined, reflecting a shift in audience preferences.
Dana White emphasizes the significance of loyalty and solidarity within his team, especially during challenging times like the pandemic, highlighting the importance of a positive work environment.
Working with sponsors who align with personal values can lead to a more fulfilling work experience, as demonstrated by Dana White's commitment to maintaining autonomy in his decisions and partnerships.

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Recent questions

What is Dana White's profession?
Entrepreneur and head of UFC

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Summary

00:00

"Dana White: UFC, Slap Events, and Music"

Today's guest is Dana White, an entrepreneur and head of the UFC from Massachusetts.
Dana White has had a successful year with various interesting guests like rappers, Robert F Kennedy, Wayne Gretzky, and even Trump.
The conversation touches on the popularity of UFC and the recent rise of slap events.
Slap events have gained significant social media traction, with one video reaching 1.6 million views on TikTok.
Slap events have a powerful social media presence, surpassing major sports leagues combined.
Dana White discusses his experience at slap events, enjoying the unique atmosphere and excitement.
Dana White shares a story of a sweepstakes winner who gambled with him and won almost $10,000.
Dana White talks about his comfort with being in the public eye and sharing his life through social media.
The conversation shifts to music preferences, with Dana White mentioning his favorite bands and concerts he has attended.
Dana White discusses the importance of walkout songs for UFC fighters and how it can impact their image and connection with the audience.

12:50

Dana White on Pandemic Impact and Leadership

Dana White discusses the impact of the pandemic on events and the creation of a safe space for testing and events in Jacksonville and Abu Dhabi.
White expresses his love for America and his refusal to succumb to fear during the pandemic.
The conversation shifts to walkout songs, with White mentioning The Cult and ACDC as favorites.
White shares a story about meeting Perry Farrell at a one-year-old's birthday party.
The discussion moves to Sinead O'Connor and her bold actions, leading to anxiety and performance issues.
White talks about giving pep talks to performers and the challenges of facing public scrutiny.
The conversation delves into the influence of media and advertisers on individuals and businesses.
White emphasizes the importance of loyalty and solidarity within his team, especially during tough times like the pandemic.
White highlights the significance of building a strong team and fostering a positive work environment.
White discusses the challenges of transitioning from being a hands-on individual to delegating tasks as a boss.

24:54

Navigating Business Finances and Sponsorship Alignments

The speaker discusses the financial aspect of their business, highlighting the significant difference between dealing with hundreds of thousands and hundreds of millions of dollars.
They express a dislike for budget meetings, particularly during challenging financial times, finding them tedious and not enjoyable.
Currently, the speaker focuses solely on aspects of the business they enjoy, such as ensuring production quality, discovering new talent, and organizing exciting fights.
The speaker mentions their aversion to dealing with finances, preferring to concentrate on marketing and other business aspects they find more engaging.
An advertisement for Manscape's Performance Package 5.0 Ultra is shared, emphasizing a 20% discount with the code "Theo" on their website.
Game Time is promoted as a reliable platform for purchasing tickets to various events, offering last-minute deals and a $20 discount on the first purchase with the code "weekend."
Ship Station is recommended for businesses experiencing increased shipping demands during the holiday season, with a 60-day free trial available using the code "Theo" on their website.
The speaker discusses their involvement in selecting sponsors for their business, emphasizing the importance of alignment with the brand's values and beliefs over solely financial considerations.
A personal anecdote is shared regarding sponsors objecting to content posted on social media, highlighting the speaker's commitment to maintaining autonomy in their decisions.
The speaker defends their partnership with Bud Light, citing the brand's positive impact on American employment and support for veterans and farmers as reasons for their alignment.

37:57

Values-aligned advertisers enhance job satisfaction and fulfillment.

Aligning with advertisers who share similar beliefs and values can enhance job satisfaction and enjoyment.
Robert Kennedy, an environmentalist, was influenced by his childhood experiences with homing pigeons to care about vaccinations.
Working with sponsors who align with personal values can lead to a more fulfilling work experience.
William Morris Entertainment, a woke company, has diverse guests on the show, including Tucker Carlson.
The concept of people from different cultures and backgrounds coming together in martial arts is reminiscent of the movie "Enter the Dragon."
Despite language barriers, fighting in martial arts is seen as a universal language and a beautiful dance.
Feeling proud of oneself can be challenging for some individuals who are always focused on what's next.
Advertisers should be chosen carefully to ensure a positive and mutually beneficial relationship.
Peloton, a company selling stationary bikes, had a conflict with Robert Kennedy, leading to a decision to remove their products from the gym.
Barry McCarthy, the CEO of Peloton, faced criticism for laying off employees despite the company's success.

49:39

"Pressure, Advertisers, and Building Brands: A Speaker's Journey"

Advertisers called to demand the removal of content, causing a frustrating day for the speaker.
The speaker discusses the process of star-building through shows like The Ultimate Fighter and The Contender Series.
A format similar to these shows is being used for a new project called Power Slab.
The format involves bringing individuals together to live, train, and compete, showcasing their skills while under pressure.
The pressure cooker environment helps the best individuals rise to the top.
Craig Borsari, head of a project, faced pressure from an advertiser to remove a podcast featuring Robert Kennedy Jr.
The CEO of Peloton, Barry McCarthy, was involved in the decision to take down the podcast.
Barry McCarthy is based in San Francisco, and the speaker won four Pelotons as a result of correctly guessing his location.
The speaker discusses his experience as a father of three children, highlighting their individual qualities and interests.
The speaker expresses excitement about ongoing projects like Thrill One and Holler Head Whiskey, emphasizing his passion for building brands and winning.

01:03:18

Dana White's Journey Through Success and Challenges

Brandon Moreno has been working on his career for 22 years and is finally seeing success.
Dana White has close friendships with fighters like Dustin Poirier, who inspires him not to give up.
Dana White's relationship with WME, particularly with Ari, is very good, and Ari helps him with business connections.
Dana White discusses the issue of gambling in sports, mentioning the problem of insider information affecting betting outcomes.
Dana White emphasizes the seriousness of gambling-related crimes, highlighting the risk of federal prison time.
Dana White reflects on the retirement of fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Ronda Rousey, expressing attachment to them.
Dana White discusses the political landscape, mentioning his friendship with Donald Trump and the challenges of politics.
Dana White emphasizes the importance of personal character over political beliefs and the limitations of relying on the government.
Dana White acknowledges the current political divide and the need for change in the government system.
The conversation ends with mutual appreciation between Dana White and the interviewer, expressing gratitude for their connections and experiences.

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