WWE and UFC will negotiate separate media deals for TV distribution but may look to a future combined streaming deal, Nick Khan said on Monday.
The WWE CEO was speaking to Sara Fischer of Axios after the news that Endeavor had acquired a 51% controlling interest in WWE and will merge it with the UFC to create a new company.
Khan will serve as President of WWE under the new set-up, an equivalent post to Dana White’s in the UFC.
When asked whether the new company could pursue a combined streaming deal once WWE’s and the UFC’s deals with Peacock and ESPN+ expire, Khan replied:
The good folks at NBCU [Peacock’s parent company] have been tremendous partners to us. So let’s see what they have to say.
WWE’s streaming deal with Peacock expires in 2026. UFC’s arrangement with ESPN+ expires in 2025.
On upcoming linear TV deals, Khan commented:
The most important thing is that NBC and Fox, from a WWE point of view, feel respected in the process, so we’re going to enter those conversations with them.
He added that, if NBC and Fox did not take up a “first refusal window” to successfully renew their deals with WWE, a wider negotiation would happen.
If we’re not able to do that, we’ll see what the marketplace has to say and ultimately choose the right partner for the WWE audience and our shareholders.
When asked about layoffs or staffing changes at WWE, Khan said, “We’re not sure.”
An integration team is going to be put into place between both companies in short order, and we’ll know — we’ll have a lot more in the next week or two.
Khan also confirmed that WWE will continue its relationship with Saudi Arabia.
[O]ur relationship with The Kingdom is a terrific partnership for which we’re appreciative of, and you know, nothing in terms of anyone else’s prior experience will affect that.”
We think that we’ve delivered the product in the way that the Kingdom wanted it delivered. We have a multiple year agreement with them in place. We’re excited to do a show — we’ll be back there May 27 for a big premium live event.
Khan said that the name of the combined company will be announced soon:
We don’t have to have it yet. But we’re finalizing it and expect that it will get finalized in the next couple of days. Then we’ll announce it after that.
