WWE CEO Sees NBA’s Media Rights Deal as Positive Sign for Wrestling

One big thing: WWE’s parent company TKO views the NBA’s recent media rights deal as a good omen for wrestling’s future value

TKO CEO Ari Emanuel believes the NBA’s new 11-year streaming deal with Amazon signals strong potential for WWE’s future media rights negotiations.

Why it matters

• The sports media landscape is rapidly evolving, with streaming platforms becoming major players
• WWE’s own media rights deals are crucial to its revenue and growth strategy
• The valuation of sports entities could impact wrestling’s negotiating power in future deals

By the numbers

• NBA’s new deal: 11 years with Amazon
• WWE’s current deals: Moving to USA Network, The CW, and Netflix in 2024-2025

What they’re saying

“The strength and appeal of our iconic properties are undeniable, and the value proposition we laid out for TKO is widely evident,” Emanuel said during TKO’s Q2 Investor Call.

The big picture

• Emanuel sees the NBA deal as a “secular tailwind” – a long-term trend benefiting the market
• This optimism comes as WWE’s competitor, AEW, is in negotiations with Warner Bros. Discovery
• The sports media rights landscape is becoming increasingly competitive and lucrative

What’s next

WWE will be closely watching how its new media partnerships perform, while preparing for future negotiations in a rapidly changing media landscape.

What do you think about the future of wrestling on streaming platforms? Leave a comment below with your thoughts on how this might change your viewing experience.