Ladies and gentlemen, it’s negotiation season, and Tony Khan, the mastermind behind All Elite Wrestling (AEW), has shared some juicy tidbits about the ongoing talks with Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD). The current TV rights deal is nearing its expiration date at the end of the year, and both parties are deep in the weeds of hammering out a new agreement.
In a recent interview with “SportsGrid,” Khan gave us a peek behind the curtain, revealing that while the discussions have been positive, they are anything but straightforward. “We’re having great conversations at Warner Brothers Discovery, definitely that it’s a great home for pro wrestling,” Khan shared. He emphasized the historic connection between pro wrestling and TBS, the channel that’s been wrestling’s home longer than any other in the U.S. “We’re really excited about having AEW every Wednesday on TBS and every weekend on TNT,” he added, with a twinkle in his eye.
Khan also praised WBD’s top brass, especially CEO and President David Zaslav. “Mr. Zaslav himself has been really great, very engaged. We’re trying to figure this out. It’s a very complicated thing. It’s a big media rights package. I’m very excited to keep working hopefully for a long time with Warner Brothers Discovery,” he gushed, painting a picture of a collaborative and enthusiastic partnership.
Adding more fuel to the excitement, in another recent chat, Khan mentioned that these high-stakes negotiations are nearing the “end zone.” Insiders suggest that we could hear an official announcement on the new TV rights deal by summer or fall 2024. While the exact duration of the prospective deal remains under wraps, Khan’s optimism shines through as he hopes AEW stays with WBD “forever.”
Stay tuned, folks. The wrestling world is abuzz, and this media rights saga is shaping up to be as thrilling as a championship match!