Meta Expands Board, Adds UFC’s Dana White Amid Strategic Shift
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has announced a significant expansion of its board of directors, including the appointment of UFC president and CEO Dana White. This move comes as Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg continues to demonstrate a keen interest in mixed martial arts (MMA) and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Zuckerberg, who has been spotted at several UFC events and has developed a close relationship with White, recently shared an Instagram post featuring the two together. This connection gained further attention during discussions about a potential cage match between Zuckerberg and Elon Musk.
The appointment of White to Meta’s board raises eyebrows given his ties to President-elect Donald Trump, who has previously issued threats towards Zuckerberg regarding the 2024 Presidential Election. Despite this, Zuckerberg has expressed admiration for White’s entrepreneurial skills.
White’s addition to the board comes despite recent controversies, including an incident captured on camera at a nightclub. The UFC president has maintained control over the organization throughout these challenges.
Joining White on the board are John Elkann, CEO of Exor, which holds significant stakes in companies like Ferrari and Stellantis, and Charlie Songhurst, a prominent technology investor and former Microsoft executive.
With these additions, Meta’s board now expands to 13 members. Zuckerberg stated that the new appointments align with Meta’s focus on emerging opportunities in AI, wearables, and social media. The expanded board is expected to play a crucial role in guiding Meta towards its future goals in these rapidly evolving sectors.