{"id":173451,"date":"2023-04-03T15:53:04","date_gmt":"2023-04-03T15:53:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/?p=173451"},"modified":"2023-04-03T15:53:04","modified_gmt":"2023-04-03T15:53:04","slug":"wwe-ufc-could-pursue-combined-streaming-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/wwe-ufc-could-pursue-combined-streaming-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"WWE, UFC could pursue combined streaming deal"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Dean Ambrose competes in the ring against Seth Rollins during the WWE Live Show at Lanxess Arena on November 7, 2018 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Marc Pfitzenreuter\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
WWE and UFC will pursue separate media rights negotiations for linear TV, but there could be an opportunity to pursue a combined streaming deal, WWE President Nick Khan told Axios in an interview Monday morning. <\/p>\n
Why it matters<\/strong>: WWE's streaming deal with NBCUniversal's Peacock expires in 2026. UFC's media deal with ESPN, which includes giving ESPN+ the exclusive rights to all UFC pay-per-view matches, expires in 2025. <\/p>\n Details<\/strong>: WWE's current linear TV rights deals with NBCUniversal and Fox Corp. expire next year. Its streaming deal with NBCUniversal's Peacock expires in 2026. UFC signed a five-year TV contract with ESPN in 2019 that was extended through 2025. Khan said the companies would be pursuing those TV deals differently. <\/p>\n Catch up quick<\/strong>: Endeavor said Monday it would combine WWE, which it acquired Monday as part of a $9.3 billion deal, with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which it took control of in 2016. <\/p>\n Meanwhile, <\/strong>asked about layoffs or staff changes for WWE,<\/strong> Khan said "We're not sure."<\/p>\n Be smart: <\/strong>The two businesses, while combined under one holding company, will be run separately, Khan confirmed, but "if there are fun things to do," he said, "we're going to figure it out."<\/p>\n The big picture<\/strong>: The deal is a huge victory for Vince McMahon, executive chairman and controlling shareholder of WWE. <\/p>\n Between the lines: <\/strong>When the deal closes, Endeavor will hold a 51% controlling interest in the newly combined company, and WWE shareholders will hold the remaining 49%. Endeavor will appoint six board seats and WWE will appoint five.<\/p>\n WWE will continue its relationship with Saudi Arabia<\/strong>, despite Endeavor's historic reluctance to do business with the country, Khan said. <\/p>\n What to watch: <\/strong>Endeavor said the combined company is expected to trade under the moniker \u201cTKO" once it goes public. <\/p>\n\n
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