The AEW President talks his relationship with Warner Bros. Discovery.
With 2024 almost upon us, one of the major questions heading into the new year will be what will the future hold for AEW’s media rights, with a deal yet to be announced amidst reports that WBD could also be one of the potential suitors for WWE’s Monday Night RAW.
During the AEW Worlds End media call, Tony Khan was asked about AEW’s relationship with Warner Bros Discovery, to which he noted that he’s excited to work with Warner Bros Discovery throughout 2024 before conversations about AEW’s media rights begin to happen.
“We have a great relationship with Warner Bros Discovery. It’s amazing now. We’ve been talking to them for several years and this coming weekend marks the five-year anniversary of the launch of AEW. We announced the formation on January 1, 2019 and here we are, days away from the five-year anniversary of that. Warner Brothers Discovery has been an indespenisible partner throughout this journey. I’m very excited about the future of AEW and excited to work with Warner Brothers Discovery throughout 2024 and going forward after that, there is going to be a lot of exciting conversations about AEW media rights. It’ll be a very exciting year and a lot of things are going to happen. We have a great situation with Warner Bros Discovery and it’s been a great year for that partnership.”
-Tony Khan
Khan then stated that whilst he can’t say for certain what the future will hold regarding AEW’s media rights, he can confirm that there is a lot of interest in both AEW and ROH.
“We’re under an exclusive agreement. I can’t say what the future of AEW will hold for certain, but I know there is a lot of interest in pro wrestling, and judging by the market, I’ve had lots of interest in Ring of Honor, which I’m holding and looking forward to having an extra card to play later in the coming year in such negotiations. Knowing there is a ton of interest in ROH and that product from outside parties, and knowing there is far more interest in AEW, multiple times more, and far greater rights fees for AEW in the future, it bodes well in the market knowing there will likely be a lot of suitors for AEW. We’ll find out for sure as we get closer to the end of the year. I have to say, it’s really great working at Warner Brothers Discovery, and if anyone came in, it would have to be a heck of an offer because we have a great thing going here and it’s a great place to be. I do value the relationship.”
-Tony Khan
Last night’s episode of AEW Dynamite saw Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston advance to the final of the inaugural Continental Classic, with the pair set to do battle at this weekend’s Worlds End PPV.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on the future of AEW’s media rights negotiations as soon as we hear more.
