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Podcast: Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast
Episode: TKO Terrific Banking Big ESPN Deal While WWE Creatively Challenged
Description: In a landmark move for professional wrestling, WWE, under the umbrella of TKO Group Holdings, has secured a five-year, $1.625 billion media rights agreement with ESPN, positioning the sports entertainment giant’s Premium Live Events (PLEs) on ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming platform starting in 2026. This deal, valued at an average of $325 million annually, marks a significant shift from WWE’s current streaming partnership with NBCUniversal’s Peacock, which expires in March 2026 and was valued at $180-$200 million per year. The agreement, which includes marquee events like WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank, will see all 1...