• Loading stock data...
Monday, April 28, 2025

WWE Wants To Be Marvel-Like Media Giant

  • Jamie Horowitz leads list of outside media executives who have followed President Nick Khan to WWE.
  • WWE TV programming is now in 900 million homes worldwide in 28 languages.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

WWE is ready to expand from wrestling to a full-scale media universe, sources told Front Office Sports. 

The strategy is to become the next Marvel, with content driven by characters like Roman Reigns and Undertaker.

Recent moves are telling. WWE is hiring media executives from outside the business and forging content deals worth billions.

  • WWE signed a five-year, $1 billion deal with NBC Universal’s Peacock for network rights in January. 
  • Comcast Chairman Brian Roberts credited WWE and “The Office” with helping Peacock reach 42 million subscribers in the first quarter. April’s WrestleMania 37 was the most-viewed live event ever for Peacock.
  • In 2020, WWE hired CAA’s Co-Head of Television Nick Khan as president and chief revenue officer. On Tuesday, they brought on Jamie Horowitz as executive vice president, development and digital. At DAZN, Horowitz teamed up with Sylvester Stallone, LeBron James, and Jay-Z to create original documentaries and unscripted series.
  • Along with Horowitz, the WWE hired Samira Shah as general counsel and Matt Drew as senior vice president of international. At the board of directors level, WWE added Khan, former ESPN content chief Connor Schell and Atlanta Hawks Chief Executive Officer Steve Koonin. The WWE previously elected Erika Nardini, Chief Executive Officer of Barstool Sports, to its board.

Marvel is a great model: It went from a bankrupt comic book outfit to a box-office behemoth in film, TV, and theme parks in around 25 years. WWE sees similar growth potential. 

WWE programming now reaches 900 million homes worldwide and the company posted record revenue of $974.2 million in 2020.

“At first glance, WWE’s a wrestling company. But it’s really a media/content company with a treasure trove of IP that appeals to young demos,” the source told FOS.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

breaking

FS1 Exec Charlie Dixon Gone From Fox Sports

Dixon was named in two separate lawsuits in January.
opinion

Mel Kiper Jr.’s Shedeur Sanders Fixation Hurt ESPN Draft Coverage

Kiper called NFL teams “clueless” and said Sanders’s fall was “disgusting.”

NFL Draft Round 1 Draws 13.6M Viewers, Second-Highest Ever

With stars staying on the board, viewers tuned in.
exclusive

Fox, Shannon Sharpe Settled Physical Incident With Female PA

Sharpe’s reps confirm a past “physical” incident was settled by Fox.

Featured Today

Jun 21, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics majority owner Wyc Grousbeck holds the Larry O’Brien trophy prior to the Boston Celtics championship parade.

The Celtics Succession Plan Remains Murky

The transfer of power to a private-equity group is still unresolved.
April 26, 2025

The Rays Groundskeepers Are Adjusting to Life Outside the Dome

After nearly three decades in a dome, Tampa groundskeepers were forced outside.
April 25, 2025

The Former NBA Agent Who Became a Pickleball Deputy Commissioner

Chris Patrick went from representing Jimmy Butler to pickleball deputy commissioner.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
April 21, 2025

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

The projected No. 1 pick just declared for the draft.

Goodell: Three NFL Games Every Christmas Moving Forward

The league is returning to scheduling three games on the holiday this season.
April 24, 2025

Comcast Leans On Sports As Revenue Slides and Cord-Cutting Grows

NBC Sports’ rights portfolio remains a company bedrock.
April 25, 2025

Knicks, Rangers to See Big Cut in MSG Networks Media-Rights Fees

The teams will each see big reductions in their local media-rights fees.
Sponsored

Fighting for Clarity: Inside UFC’s New Partnership With Total Wireless

UFC teams with Total Wireless in a no-frills partnership built for today’s mobile-first, value-driven fanbase.
FuboTV signage
April 23, 2025

Disney’s Fubo Takeover Now Faces DOJ Antitrust Review

The deal struck by the ESPN parent company could be in jeopardy.
Multiple streaming services appear on a Roku TV.
April 23, 2025

Roku’s New Plan to Relieve Streaming Headaches

The streaming company introduces new tools to direct fans to games.
Apr 20, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden.
April 22, 2025

NBA Playoffs Deliver Most-Watched Opening Weekend in 25 Years

It was the most-watched opening weekend on ESPN platforms.
Shannon Sharpe
April 21, 2025

Shannon Sharpe Accused of Rape in Civil Lawsuit

The case was filed by an anonymous woman in Nevada.