Last year, WWE inked a major streaming deal with Netflix, making it the new home for “Monday Night Raw” and other WWE content. Recently, WWE and ESPN announced another significant agreement that will broadcast all WWE Premium Live events on ESPN to domestic viewers starting in 2026.
In an interview with “Varsity,” WWE President Nick Khan discussed how the ESPN deal came together smoothly. He credited Netflix’s Brandon Riegg for advising WWE back in 2017 to sort out international rights before Netflix moved into live programming. Khan highlighted that quick decision-making within WWE and TKO, without the red tape of bureaucracy, accelerated negotiations. He pointed out that if key leaders like himself, Ali, Mark, Andrew, and Triple H agree on a move, it gets done immediately without needing owner approvals.
Khan also emphasized that neither he nor the board needs to consult owners to ensure satisfaction; their focus is on whether a deal benefits fans and makes business sense. He praised the swift Netflix and Disney agreements as examples of how TKO executives efficiently run the company, likening it to the UFC’s streamlined structure. This lack of bureaucracy, according to Khan, is a superior way to manage a collective enterprise.
Fan Take: This streamlined approach to decision-making is a game-changer for WWE, allowing faster adaptation to market opportunities and fan demands. It means more exciting deals and content for fans, enhancing the overall wrestling experience and expanding WWE’s reach.
