WWE WrestleMania and PLE rights secured by ESPN in a $1.6 billion agreement

Mickey Mouse to Debut at WrestleMania

WWE and ESPN have inked a substantial five-year deal worth $1.6 billion, set to kick off in 2026. This contract grants ESPN exclusive rights to air WWE’s Premier Live Events (PLE), as noted by the Wall Street Journal. The partnership will launch later this month as part of a new streaming service targeted at consumers.

The lineup for the events includes two nights of WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank, according to ESPN.

Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN Chairman, commented on the deal, saying, “This seemed like a logical move for us. It’s an acquisition of valuable content that we believe will significantly bolster our direct-to-consumer initiatives and shape the future of streaming.”

Previously, WWE events were available on Peacock through a $900 million deal. The Wall Street Journal has reported on the ending of that partnership.

This new agreement marks a step forward in ESPN’s WWE streaming journey; earlier, they signed a 10-year contract exceeding $5 billion with Netflix to feature “Raw” every Monday night.

Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE’s Chief Content Officer, stated that upcoming events like the Royal Rumble and Survivor Series will be “bigger than ever” and offer “more sights than ever.” He reflected on partnering with ESPN by saying, “As a leader in sports entertainment, working with ESPN is a unique opportunity for us. It’s exciting to join the Disney family and we can’t wait to get started.”

ESPN’s new streaming service launched on August 21st, priced at $29.99 per month. This package includes PLE and additional shows that lead up to and follow WWE events.

The Wall Street Journal also pointed out that ESPN has an existing relationship with TKO, WWE’s parent company, secured through deals valued at $300 million for airing UFC events annually.

Mark Shapiro, president and COO of TKO, expressed pride in enhancing ESPN’s offerings, highlighting that WWE PLEs combine great storytelling and athletic prowess, aligning well with ESPN’s cultural significance through its ties to the UFC. He mentioned how ESPN’s influence has reshaped the sports landscape.