ESPN has spent years trying to land WWE content on their airwaves. “The Worldwide Leader In Sports” has gotten their hands into every sport imaginable and professional wrestling was no different, according to ESPN president, Burke Magnus.
When I was over in programming, I got the old WrestleManias during the pandemic to put on ESPN. I took a couple of runs at the RAW and SmackDown packages, and the WWE Network, previously. I’ve had a great appreciation of this content for a long time. This goes all the way back to when I was a kid in New Jersey. I loved it. I’m not too familiar with the storylines today, but I have a full appreciation for what they’ve built over there in terms of a great form of entertainment, and clearly, the results speak for themselves in terms of how many fans they pack in arenas and stadiums. It’s remarkable.
In the past, this would’ve been an ill-conceived idea. The sports network has poo-pooed the thought of showing WWE programming because it was, well, ‘fake.’ Additionally, the stigma was enough to keep other networks away from the programming. However, that didn’t stop Magnus from pulling the trigger on a $1.6 billion deal for five years with the promotion.
WWE and ESPN Have Great Potential Together
First, having the WWE should generate solid revenue for the network. The promotion finished Q1 with a revenue of $391.5 million, a 24% increase from 2024. That’s impressive work that should do great things for Disney.
Additionally, WWE can draw from a vast number of legendary figures to throw into their productions. Take your pick among the WWE superstars that can get mixed into the fray. It doesn’t matter if it’s The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, or Brock Lesnar. The pool is limitless for the two entities.
However, that doesn’t mean everything is perfect. WWE must improve its programming to satisfy Disney. Getting a C grade for the first ESPN-based promotion isn’t cutting it.
Moreover, it’s a bad look for a promotion trying to stay in the mainstream permanently. WWE has worked extensively to shed its ‘theater’ persona for years and they’re closer than ever to achieving that. Still, the “Worldwide Leader In Sports” can help them achieve that, pushing them closer to greatness.
Sounds like a match made in heaven.
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