WWE could potentially have a reduced live event schedule in the future.
In September, WWE and Endeavor closed on a transaction agreement that saw WWE and UFC merge to form TKO, a new publicly traded company. Since then, WWE has continued to move into a new era, and changes could be on the horizon.
During the UBS Global Media And Communication Conference, TKO President Mark Shapiro stated that there could be opportunities to cut back on non-televised WWE live events in order to bring the margin up. (H/t Jeremy Lambert of Fightful for the transcription)
“WWE has over 300 events a year, with 170 televised,” he said. “There is probably, while all those other superstars events, there is a reason to have them because it’s good for the brand, we’re building the audience, we’re putting them on C and D counties, so we’re really stretching the brand and amassing a greater array of eyeballs for all demos, it’s good for our long-term growth.
“For a margin perspective, they are dilutive. There are probably opportunities, as we go through our efficiencies and synergies, to cut back those non-televised events, which will, of course, push our margin up. We’re going through that exercise now.”
Click here to see what Shapiro had to say about the ongoing negotiations for WWE RAW’s media rights.
