After speculation on media rights negotiations between wrestling promotions and networks, AEW and ROH owner Tony Khan has confirmed that they have also been in talks with Warner Bros Discovery about their next media rights deal. Following Ring of Honor’s Final Battle PPV, Khan and several of the wrestlers sat down with the media to discuss various topics including the status of their television contracts.
Khan didn’t shy away from addressing the reports of WWE’s meeting with Warner Bros Discovery and framed it as a standard procedure for networks. He also mentioned that AEW has been in conversations with multiple networks about their next media rights deal, which is expected to begin toward the end of 2024.
With regards to the challenges faced by AEW, Khan acknowledged that the wrestling business is under constant scrutiny and that negativity is a constant feature. However, he emphasized that he is focused on putting on great shows and highlighted their recent success as the number one show on cable this past week.
Khan also spoke about the impact of Twitter on the wrestling business, expressing that it has become an “echo chamber” with a lot of bad faith discussions. Despite the challenges, Khan is determined to keep fighting for AEW and ROH, drawing inspiration from other wrestling promoters who have fought similar battles in the past.
While some may find his approach and passion to be a little unconventional, it’s clear that Khan is dedicated to the success of AEW and ROH. The negotiations for their next media rights deal remain a key focus, and the company is looking forward to continued growth in 2024. The entire interview with Khan and the wrestlers can be viewed in the embedded press scrum video.