WBD’s New Sports Deals Lower Dependence on AEW Amid NBA Exit

AEW is currently in television rights negotiations with Warner Bros Discovery. Although a deal has not yet been finalized, Tony Khan remains optimistic about his company’s next television contract. Warner Bros Discovery’s loss of the NBA will create a significant void in their sports programming, but they are already working to fill that gap without AEW.

Warner Bros Discovery doesn’t need AEW as much as some might think. According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, while there has been speculation that TNT would rely more heavily on AEW if they lost the NBA, the reality is quite different.

TNT has already secured five new major sports deals to address any potential gaps. These deals include 14 Mountain West football games per season, College Football playoff games, Big East Conference men’s and women’s basketball, the French Open, and five NASCAR races per year. This is in addition to their existing coverage of March Madness, the NHL, and Major League Baseball. The French Open deal alone is worth $65 million per year through 2034.

There is also an expectation that TNT will aggressively pursue UFC rights. However, ESPN appears to be a better overall fit. If TNT secures the UFC, which typically airs almost every Saturday night, Collision would likely need to change days or move to TBS. UFC might consider a split package, but returning to television pay-per-view seems unlikely. ESPN+ remains the best platform for securing favorable pay-per-view deals.

We’ll have to wait and see what happens next for AEW. They’ve had a good home on TNT and TBS, with a nostalgic connection to pro wrestling on those networks. Only time will tell what kind of deal Tony Khan can arrange for his company, but many fans hope it includes a streaming aspect on MAX.

What’s your take on AEW’s upcoming contract talks? Do you think they will sign another big deal? Let us know in the comments section!