Dana White, UFC President and CEO, has been appointed to Meta's board of directors alongside John Elkann and Charlie Songhurst. This marks White's first corporate board position.

White expressed enthusiasm about joining Meta, citing his belief in social media and artificial intelligence as the future. As the driving force behind UFC's transformation into a global sports powerhouse, White brings significant brand-building expertise to Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

The appointment coincides with Joel Kaplan's promotion to president of global affairs at Meta. Kaplan, who has strong Republican ties from his time in the George W. Bush administration, joined Meta in 2011. White's appointment, along with his known friendship with President-elect Trump and history of Republican support, suggests a potential shift in Meta's political positioning.

Under White's leadership, UFC has grown to produce over 40 annual live events worldwide, reaching more than 975 million households across 170 countries. His business acumen has earned him numerous industry accolades for his influence in sports.

In Las Vegas, White is also known for his high-stakes gambling, with reported six-figure bets and occasional seven-figure winnings. While banned from several casinos, he maintains betting relationships with Caesars Entertainment and Red Rock Resorts, the latter controlled by early UFC investors Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta.

This strategic board appointment combines White's expertise in brand building, entertainment, and digital media with Meta's growing influence in social media and artificial intelligence.

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