In the wake of Vince McMahon’s shock retirement last July, Nick Khan was named co-CEO of the company alongside Stephanie McMahon.
Now, Vince is back in the company after electing himself back to the WWE Board of Directors and Stephanie McMahon has handed in her official resignation, leaving Nick Khan as WWE’s sole CEO.
Speaking in a new interview on the Bill Simmons Podcast, Nick Khan was asked about whether or not he sees AEW as competition to his own sports entertainment giant. In response, he said that while he’s never met “the kid” Tony Khan, he has great admiration for his father Shahid Khan for being a self-made billionaire.
“I think a couple of things. I’ve never met the kid Tony Khan, seems like a nice kid to me. I don’t know him. I have met his dad who randomly I sat next to at some sports business luncheon that Stephanie and I went to a year and a half or so.
“I could not be more impressed with the dad. He made his money in the auto parts business, I believe. So he knows that inside out. I don’t believe he’s involved on the wrestling side of the business, outside of financing it. He has the pockets and that’s awesome and I’m sure his kid appreciates it. I was never threatened by that. I tend not to be threatened. I don’t feel threatened by anyone on anything…”
Continuing, Nick Khan made it clear that he isn’t focused on what his company’s competition is doing; instead, he wants to focus on making WWE the best product possible.
“I don’t care what anyone else is doing. I care what we’re doing. As long as we can have the best product on with the best talent and the best writers, I think we’re gonna be in good shape.”
“I Haven’t Seen Their Books” – Nick Khan On AEW’s Financials
The WWE CEO also made a general comment about finances, saying:
“Anyone can run a business at a loss. that’s easy as long as someone continues to finance it.”
When Bill Simmons asked if he was speaking about AEW specifically, Nick Khan continued.
“I don’t know their books. I haven’t seen their books. I know our books which are public. We’re off the highest grossing revenue in 2022, the highest profitability in 2022. [Those are] other big factors on why Vince wants to explore a potential alternative now.”
The “potential alternative” in question refers to the potential sale of WWE. Tony Khan himself recently confirmed that he’s keeping a close eye on the rumors and confirmed that he has interest in buying the company.
h/t WrestlingNews.co