AEW Owner Tony Khan Addresses Reports of WWE Meeting with Warner Bros Discovery
ICARO Media Group
In a recent press scrum following Ring of Honor's Final Battle PPV, Tony Khan, the owner of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Ring of Honor (ROH), discussed the reports of WWE's meeting with AEW's current television partner, Warner Bros Discovery, about the media rights package for Raw. Khan provided insight into the situation and shed light on AEW's plans for their next media rights deal.
Khan acknowledged the reports but framed them as a standard part of negotiations in the television industry. He revealed that AEW has also been in talks with Warner Bros Discovery, indicating that they are exploring their options for the next media rights deal, which is expected to begin after Raw's deal concludes in late 2024.
Highlighting the positive relationship between AEW and Warner Bros Discovery, Khan expressed excitement about the future of AEW. He mentioned the success of expanding AEW's television presence from three hours to five hours per week on TBS and TNT, which has proven to be highly successful.
Discussing the process of due diligence in the TV business, Khan drew from his experience in managing Fulham FC and the Jacksonville Jaguars, stating that AEW is in a strong position for their next TV deal. He emphasized that being part of a challenger brand like AEW means facing constant criticism but remained resolute in the pursuit of delivering great shows week after week.
Khan also touched on the wrestling industry's reliance on Twitter as a platform for discussion and engagement. He highlighted the challenges of wrestling's unique presence on the social media platform, noting the prevalence of negativity and bad faith posting within the wrestling community. Despite the challenges, Khan expressed his commitment to the fight and thanked the fans for their continuous support.
While AEW/ROH may not be without flaws, Khan's passion and determination to provide fans and talent with alternative options in the wrestling business are commendable. The evolving landscape of wrestling benefits from the presence of "challenger brands" like AEW and ROH that foster healthy competition and offer diverse content.
As the negotiations for media rights continue, wrestling enthusiasts and industry insiders eagerly await the outcome, which will undoubtedly shape the future of AEW and potentially impact the wrestling landscape as a whole.