AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery are denying that reports by various media outlets about the sale of WBD and what that means for AEW.
“Both AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery have refuted multiple industry sources’ claims that Warner Bros. Discovery informed Tony Khan and AEW in the summer of 2025 that the plan was for WBD to be sold and others would be making decisions on further programming,” writes sports journalist John McMullen.
AEW and WBD signed a three year deal which began on January 1st, 2025. The deal is valued at valued at $170 to $185 million a year.
Warner Bros. Discovery is in the process of being sold to Paramount Skydance but the deal hasn’t closed yet and has a long way to go including a regulatory review.
“In other words, WBD won’t be making decisions on AEW programming in the future, which is nothing more than common sense. There was no pushback on that sentiment, but there was also no heads-up to Khan per the WBD side, something that would be against SEC rules…AEW will have roughly 12–16 months to secure a new television deal with either Paramount Skydance or elsewhere. Paramount, though, already has significant business ties to WWE’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, through the UFC and a major billion-dollar television rights agreement, which could complicate renewal talks,” reports McMullen.
Sourced have told McMullen that AEW would move to YouTube if they cannot find a partner.
The story itself was sparked by AEW critic, talent agent Nick LoPiccolo who wrote that WBD has told AEW some time ago that they will not be renewing their broadcasting deal when it expires.
