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.

"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 artificial intelligence (AI) are the future," White stated, expressing his enthusiasm to help build Meta's brand further.

The appointment comes as Meta, parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, makes strategic leadership changes. This includes the promotion of Joel Kaplan to president of global affairs, a former Bush administration official with strong Republican ties.

Under White's leadership, UFC has become a global sports powerhouse, producing over 40 live events annually and broadcasting to more than 975 million households across 170+ countries. His appointment brings significant sports and entertainment industry expertise to Meta's board.

White is also well-known in Las Vegas gaming circles as a high-stakes bettor. While banned from several casinos, he maintains betting relationships with Caesars Entertainment and Red Rock Resorts, reportedly winning $26-27 million from Caesars Palace in early 2024.

The appointment, alongside Kaplan's promotion, suggests Meta's potential strategic shift in positioning, particularly as the company looks to strengthen relationships across political spectrums and expand its influence in sports and entertainment sectors.

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