ESPN Not Happy With WWE’s WrestleMania 42 Watch-Party Blackout Policy

TLDR

WWE has implemented a WrestleMania 42 watch-party blackout policy within a 50-mile radius of Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, preventing bars and venues from hosting commercial screenings even if they're willing to pay licensing fees. According to sports business journalist Blake Avignon, ESPN is reportedly unhappy with TKO's restriction policy, with one source characterizing it as a "self-inflicted deterrent" that undercuts the FOMO effect live events depend on. Sources also indicated there's internal chatter at ESPN about WWE's transition into the network's ecosystem not being seamless, describing it as a "DNA mismatch."