Mark Zuckerberg is doubling down on his free speech campaign, and he’s bringing Dana White along for the journey. Speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience, the Meta CEO justified his choice to bring the UFC CEO to the company’s board. So, what did he say? What could be the reason behind making such a massive move?Speaking to the UFC commentator, the Meta CEO claimed that the head honcho’s no-nonsense style will help push back against government censorship efforts. This decision comes after Meta’s extensive reforms, which included the removal of fact-checkers and a shift toward allowing more political content on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Zuckerberg portrayed Dan White as a vital figure in Meta’s struggle against regulations.“Dana’s a fighter. He doesn’t back down, and that’s exactly the kind of energy we need at Meta,” he told Rogan. The Meta CEO argued that for years, governments have forced digital businesses to repress freedom of speech, and with White in the mix, Meta is poised to push back harder than ever. Given White’s close ties to former President Donald Trump, critics claim that his appointment indicates a deeper alignment between Meta and the current administration. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MMA PACK (@mmapack)Beyond the political lens, the UFC boss’ appointment to the board could be a strategic move to reinforce Meta’s market dominance. With a $1.73 trillion valuation, the Meta CEO realizes that staying at the top requires resisting external factors like governmental restrictions that may affect interaction. Meta aims to differentiate itself from the competition by prioritizing freedom of speech over content regulation. And Dana White will prove to be a valuable asset in this move. But do you know how much Mark Zuckerberg had to shed to bring in Dana White?How much did Mark Zuckerberg pay Dana White to join Meta?Dana White’s appointment to Meta’s board of directors is already paying dividends, with the UFC CEO expecting to receive a significant payment package for his new role. According to SEC filings, the CEO, along with Meta’s other two new board members, received 1,999 restricted stock units (RSUs) valued at around $1.28 million. This stock-based salary is far higher than what prior board members received, demonstrating Dana White’s perceived value to the company.In addition to RSUs, the head honcho will receive a retainer, making his total salary far more than that of previous Meta board members. Tracey Thomas Travis was granted only 270 RSUs when she joined Meta’s board in March 2020. Dana White’s shares will vest in quarterly increments over four years, with a part becoming available on May 15, 2025, based on his continued service.But this amount will surely not be an issue for Mark Zuckerberg. After all, his company would surely benefit from the longstanding friendship between the UFC boss and Donald Trump, providing Meta with direct access to the White House at a time when the company is actively changing its public image. But what do you think? Do you believe that it was all a political move, and one that would pay off? Let us know in the comments. The post Saving $1.73 Trillion, Dana White Comes in Clutch for Mark Zuckerberg’s Free Speech Endeavours With Meta appeared first on EssentiallySports.