USA Today ranked WWE as the number 3 most unusual company. Clean Energy Fuels Corp (gas station) and GW Pharmaceuticals were 1 and 2. Here’s the excerpt on WWE:
Unusual companies operate niche businesses because they perceive opportunities for growth and — in the long-run — substantial profit. Oftentimes, this includes providing products and services in an underdeveloped sector of an established industry. For example, Clean Energy Fuels operates natural gas fueling stations throughout the United States and Canada, a unique business within the massive energy industry. GW Pharmaceuticals is the only publicly traded pharmaceutical company focusing on cannabinoid-based medications.
Other companies operate businesses that are usually privately held and closely guarded. Madison Square Garden owns NBA, NHL, WNBA and other sports franchises, as well as the television networks that broadcast most of their games. It also owns the arena in which the teams play. Similarly, Rick’s Cabaret operates adult clubs, venues that are typically privately owned.
> Business: Pro wrestling
> Market cap: $1.3 billionVince McMahon has built World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: WWE) into global wrestling empire over the years. The company recently launched the WWE Network. The network, which had 667,000 as of April, seems well on its way to reaching its stated goal of 1 million subscribers by the end of this year. Despite some concerns about a shift to online viewing and away from live events and pay-per-view, WWE has managed to steadily grow its revenues. Sales were $508 million in 2013, versus $478 million in 2010. The WWE Network is expected to grow revenues to $581 million in 2014 and to nearly $800 million in 2015. In addition to the network, WWE also hosts Wrestlemania — the professional wrestling’s equivalent of the Super Bowl. Its investors currently receive a 2.8% dividend yield.
