Tony Khan says Paramount acquiring WBD will be ‘great for AEW’
While the deal has yet to be closed, AEW head Tony Khan is looking forward to the day when Paramount Skydance officially acquires Warner Bros. Discovery.
While in New York to promote Sunday’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view in Queens, New York, Khan appeared on a short segment on Bloomberg TV‘s The Close to talk about AEW business.
During that conversation, he was asked about the changes given Paramount’s business relationships with WWE owners TKO, but Khan remains positive the merger will be a positive for his company.
“I am very excited about Paramount acquiring WB and Paramount and WB coming together. This is going to be great for AEW,” later answering “100%” when asked if he thinks Paramount will stick by AEW post-merger.
During the conversation, he reiterated past statements about his strong relationship with Paramount head David Ellison through their NFL ties.
The current AEW/WBD domestic rights deal runs through 2027 with WBD holding a one year extension option. There is currently no wrestling programming on Paramount Plus or its current networks.
“With the power of HBO Max and Paramount Plus together, it’s more buyers for our PPVs and more people watching the AEW shows. I think it will make TBS and TNT stronger cable channels with Paramount and David Ellison coming in,” Khan said.
The proposed acquisition is making its way through the process now with more hurdles for both sides to overcome.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.