In a recent conversation with Stillman & Company, Tony Khan, President of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), shared his insights on numerous topics. These included the upcoming renewal of AEW’s media rights, as well as the persistence of revenue from real-time sports programs.
Below are some key takeaways from the conversation:
Regarding the persistence of live sports programming revenue: Tony Khan said, “For top networks, cable channels, and streaming services, live sports offer the most reliable way to attract a consistent viewership. Currently, every significant player in content is making strides into the sports sector, including professional wrestling. For wrestling companies, media rights have been extremely profitable, with AEW leading the charge.”
As pertaining to AEW’s media rights renewal on the horizon: Khan expressed optimism, “With AEW, we have a fantastic opportunity as we approach our media rights renewal. The NBA will secure a very profitable deal, attract substantial revenues, and sign an extensive contract. This trend is not new to the industry. Top-tier sports alliances such as the NFL, NBA, and now AEW, are set to draw significant profit from content and payment for rights/leasing fees. There are plenty of ways to view the content, but it’s the real-time sports that reliably pull in large audiences, irrespective of changes in viewership habits or platform transition.”
On NFL’s continued expansion in the media sphere: Khan remarked, “NFL is one league that consistently expands and leads in innovation within the media sector. It’s the largest sports league globally and continues to increase its revenue and audience reach. I believe NFL has comprehended the dynamics better than anyone. Indeed, all premier sports leagues, including the NBA and AEW, are primed for lucrative media rights renewals in the forthcoming year.”
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