Could WWE be bought by their biggest competitor?
As reported by Barron’s, AEW President Tony Khan is said to be “in the pool of buyers” looking to purchase WWE. However, the source has also disclosed that the Khan family would not be buying their biggest rival on their own, as a financial partner will likely be needed to make the purchase.
Tony Khan Is One Of Four Potential Buyers Of WWE
All Elite Wrestling is owned by Tony Khan and father Shahid Khan. With Shahid Khan also being the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Fulham Football Club, his net worth is approximately $11.6 billion. WWE is currently valued at $7 billion, meaning that a purchase is financially possible.
While WWE becoming All Elite would be the biggest acquisition is wrestling since WWE bought WCW in 2001, the purchase is unlikely. Barron’s continues the report by stating that the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund is still the most likely buyer of the company, mostly due to the relationship between the two parties.
According to Barron’s, there are 4 potential buyers who could purchase the company if it were for sale. These are the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, The Khan family, Comcast or Endeavour. Comcast are the owners of NBC Universal, who currently have the rights to WWE Premium Live Events in the United States on their Peacock platform. Endeavour is the group that owns the UFC.
While an official statement is yet to be made to confirm or deny the reports on a sale and if the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund are the buyers, reports have been conflicting as to whether or not this deal will go ahead.
World Wrestling Entertainment events began in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2018 with The Greatest Royal Rumble, starting a 10 year agreement to host events in the country twice a year. It should be noted that scheduled events at the end of 2020 and the start of 2021 did not take place due to the COVID 19 pandemic. It is unknown whether time will be added onto the agreed schedule to compensate for this.
The relationship between the promotion and Saudi Arabia has been a controversial one since the inception. Multiple Superstars have chosen to boycott travelling to the kingdom and refuse to take part in the Premium Live Events. It has been reported that if the deal does go through, multiple stars will quit the company.