JBL believes WWE talent should be pleased with their current earning potential following comments from TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro about the company “resizing” fighter and superstar pay.
Speaking at the Goldman Sachs conference, Shapiro said TKO had resized talent compensation following its television deals with ESPN, Paramount, Netflix and other partners. Shapiro added that the changes were already reflected in TKO’s financial numbers and said the company expects its margins to continue expanding. Conrad Thompson put the comments to JBL during Something to Wrestle, with the WWE Hall of Famer arguing that controlling costs is simply part of running a business.
“Now you’re dealing with a finite number, and that number is not going to change. That number was changing before,” JBL said. “If you have a finite amount, and that amount changes as far as what your income is, you got to do something on the other side of the ledger, and that’s lower cost. That’s just business.”
JBL Says WWE Stars Who Want More Money Need To ‘Draw It’
JBL argued that wrestlers should not expect WWE to operate differently from other businesses when determining compensation.
“I understand people out there think that you should be adopted by WWE, and I think people have felt that forever. Or by WCW when it was around, or any other company,” he said. “Sorry, it’s a business. You’re not moving in with somebody into their house. You’re not being adopted.”
For wrestlers who believe they deserve to earn more, JBL said the solution is to increase their value by generating greater interest.
“If your contract’s out there, these guys are making really good money. You can’t do that probably anywhere else. But if you want to make more money, draw it. Simple,” JBL said. “Draw ratings. Do something like Danhausen has done. Do something Roman Reigns has done, like CM Punk has done, like Cody Rhodes has done. Figure out a way to create interest.”
JBL added that increasing one wrestler’s salary inevitably affects how much money is available elsewhere within a fixed talent budget.
“You have a finite amount of money. Now it’s coming out of some other superstar’s pocket. That’s the way it’s always been,” he said. “If he’s worth it, he’s gonna make more. And if you’re worth it, you’re going to make more. All you gotta do is negotiate.”
JBL also believes far more wrestlers are earning seven-figure salaries today than in his era. He recalled making approximately $76,000 during his first year with WWE in 1996 despite working around 250 dates and paying his own travel expenses. However, JBL stressed that he did not believe wrestlers today should be criticised for having better conditions.
“We paid our dues. We did, but so what? They don’t have to. That’s good for them.”
