WWE fans are still reeling from the news that Premium Live Events are jumping to ESPNs new $29.99-per-month platform but now were getting a clearer picture of what the network actually paid for.
In a new interview on The Varsity podcast, WWE President Nick Khan revealed that ESPN shelled out for exclusive domestic rights to WWEs biggest shows starting in 2026. That includes WrestleMania and SummerSlam both of which are now two-night events and eight other major Premium Live Events spread across the calendar.
Khan made it clear WWE still controls its schedule, but theyre more than willing to collaborate with ESPN and Disney to find the best dates for viewership. He even brought up how WWE avoids scheduling around juggernauts like the Super Bowl, relying on data to maximize audience reach.
The $1.625 billion deal didnt take long to finalize and Khan says thats because both sides were on the same page from the jump. The clarity around goals, subscriber growth, and target audiences helped the deal come together without the usual drawn-out negotiations seen in sports media.
Khan also pointed to the streamlined structure at TKO, WWEs parent company, saying decisions happen fast because it only takes a few aligned voices at the top to push things forward.
With this ESPN deal locking in WWEs premium events for years to come, the strategy is simple: deliver their biggest shows to a premium audience, on a premium platform, at a premium price.
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Are you buying into WWEs future on ESPNs $29.99 platform, or is the cost too steep for the same content? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
