Report: TKO Employees 'Increasingly Frustrated' With Saudi Arabia Relationship

WWE Crown Jewel may be over now, but it remains a hot topic, as its host city, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, continues to face attacks from Houthis forces, including some that took place hours after Crown Jewel ended, and the next day after all, but a few WWE personnel had left. And that controversy looks to be sticking around, as crew members working for both WWE and other TKO Group Holdings properties are letting their frustrations out regarding TKO continuing to book shows in the area. Uncrowned reports that many within TKO have become "increasingly frustrated" by the TKO/Saudi relationship, and TKO's "insistence" on continuing events in the country despite the ongoing attacks.

One employee suggested the partnership had become all about greed, with TKO so concerned about missing out on major payments from the Saudi government should they miss a show that they had prioritized that over the safety of their talent and crew. Another employee suggested the same, pointing out that while other sports events had been canceled, including golf and tennis tournaments, TKO went forward with Crown Jewel and a Power Slap event, which required some crew members to work both. A bigger sticking point, however, is TKO's desire to continue running shows in Riyadh over the next month, starting with a Zuffa Boxing event scheduled for November 14, and a UFC Fight Night scheduled for December 5.

Even more so than Zuffa Boxing, UFC Fight Night is a particular point of contention for employees, as it was noted that, despite the event being so close, TKO had provided no information regarding protection for the crew or backup plans should things go wrong, with one person describing the higher ups communication as "lacking." Another employee noted how some workers were exploring ideas on how to get out of working the event, but questioned whether they'd go through with it due to fear of reprisal.

"This is a company that can fire you for no reason or any reason," the employee said. "Everyone just can't believe this is a choice that they are being forced to make; fly into a war zone or risk getting fired before Christmas."

Another employee echoed those remarks, saying many within TKO had reached the "realization" that this is what the company stands for, and that it was now up to workers to either "accept it or leave, because nothing's going to change at this point." Nevertheless, this source believed now was the appropriate time to expose TKO"s behavior due to the public's belief that employees were treated well, instead saying their treatment was similar to how TKO talent had been taken care of over the years.

"Everyone across the whole company gets treated like s***, whether you're a fighter or a camera guy," they said.