WWE has finalized a $1.6 billion agreement to stream all WWE pay-per-view events on ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer platform for the next five years, with a new broadcast partner set to take over in 2026. Reports reveal that ESPN will also host pre- and post-show segments for WWE events, including some “SportsCenter” episodes filmed at WWE Pay-Per-View venues. Additionally, ESPN has the option to produce original WWE content.
Jimmy Pitaro, president and chairman of ESPN Inc., confirmed these details in an interview with Variety following the WWE/ESPN announcement. He emphasized that partnering with WWE will help ESPN attract a younger, more diverse audience, including more women. Pitaro also anticipates the development of new WWE-related programs produced jointly by ESPN and Disney, involving collaborations with other ESPN talents, such as NBA figures, and TKO board member Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. These efforts will complement existing projects between WWE and ESPN, like the show “Stefanie’s Location” that debuted on ESPN+ in the spring.
Fan Take: This partnership signals a major expansion of WWE’s reach into mainstream sports entertainment through ESPN’s vast platform. For fans, it means not only more accessible WWE events but also exciting new content that could bring fresh perspectives and broader appeal to the sport.
