Dana White, the president and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), has been appointed to Meta’s Board of Directors, a decision the company made public on Monday. White has helmed the UFC since 2001 and has been a prominent figure in the world of mixed martial arts.
In his own words, White expressed, “I’ve never been interested in joining a board of directors until I got the offer to join Meta’s board. I am a huge believer that social media and AI are the future.” This reflects his belief in the transformative potential of technology.
Alongside White, Meta also nominated business executive John Elkann and tech investor Charlie Songhurst to its board. CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasized that their expertise would significantly contribute to navigating the company’s future prospects.
Dana White, originally from Manchester, Connecticut, and raised in Massachusetts, has had a dynamic career. He owned a boxing gym in South Boston before relocating to Las Vegas, where he reconnected with Lorenzo Fertitta, a former classmate. This reunion led to the Fertitta brothers purchasing the UFC and subsequently appointing White as president.
An interesting aspect of White’s early career includes a encounter with the notorious mobster Whitey Bulger. White has described a threatening call from Bulger’s associate demanding protection money, which prompted him to leave Massachusetts for Las Vegas, ultimately shaping his future in the fight business.
In summary, White’s appointment to Meta’s Board of Directors marks a significant milestone in his career, showcasing the increasing intersection of sports and technology. His insights and experiences will likely contribute to the board’s strategic direction, particularly in the fields of social media and artificial intelligence. This collaboration between diverse industries highlights the potential for innovative opportunities ahead.
Overall, this development is promising and demonstrates White’s ability to adapt and embrace new challenges, promising exciting advancements in the tech landscape as well as the sports industry.