FOX CEO Lachlan Murdoch Says FOX Has Not Engaged With WWE Over Rights Renewal Talks, But Are Ready To
FOX CEO comments on current status with WWE.
Since 2019, WWE SmackDown has aired on FOX with the two sides reaching a five-year. The deal won’t expire until 2024, but WWE is scheduled to discuss media rights airing with various networks and platforms in 2023.
Speaking at a Morgan Stanley Investors Conference, FOX CEO Lachlan Murdoch stated that Fox and WWE have yet to engage in media rights renewal talks, but that they are ready to talk when WWE is ready.
“They have been great partners. They’ve been great partners throughout our relationship. If they ultimately sell the business, I hope the acquirer will be as great as they’ve been. I hope the management team stays intact there. They’ve done a tremendous job. From a rights point of view, we’re focused on the rights renewal. We haven’t engaged with them on the rights yet, we’re ready to engage with them when they ask and they’re ready. Ultimately, our appetite for renewal depends on what happens with the rest of our sports portfolio,” he said.
WWE President Nick Khan previously stated that media rights discussions likely wouldn’t happen until after the company potentially sells as the potential new owner, if it is a media rights corporation, would have input on where shows would air.
On January 12, WWE announced that they were engaging with outside advisors to review strategic alternatives. Upcoming media rights negotiations were the reason given for WWE going to outside advisors, but reports indicated that WWE was also preparing to sell the company.
Fightful will continue to update fans on the status of a potential WWE sale.
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