FOX Ready To Speak With WWE About Media Rights Renewal

FOX are ready to speak with WWE about potentially renewing their TV deal with Vince McMahon's organisation. 

FOX CEO Lachlan Murdoch said at the Morgan Stanley Tech Media and Telecom conference: 

"I think they've been great partners, they've been great partners throughout our partnership, our relationship. If they ultimately sell the business, I hope the acquirer... or I'm sure the acquirer will be as good a partner as they've been. I hope the management team stays intact because they've done a tremendous job. 

"From a rights point of view, we're focused on their rights renewal. We haven't engaged with them on the rights yet, we're ready to engage with them when they ask, when they're ready. But ultimately, our appetite for renewal depends on what happens with the rest of our sports portfolio."

FOX and WWE agreed to a five-year deal for the media rights to SmackDown in 2018 and the blue brand moved to Friday nights and FOX in October 2019. It is believed that WWE earns approximately $205 million annually from the SmackDown rights.

If WWE will engage in media rights renewal talks with FOX remains unknown. Vince McMahon forced his way back into WWE in January 2023, being elected Executive Chairman soon after, so he could pursue a sale of the company. WWE CEO Nick Khan has since noted that WWE won't discuss media rights deals until after a potential sale. 

Find out the latest about a WWE sale here.

H/T to F4W Online