Latest On Conflicting Reports About AEW TV Rights Fees

UPDATE 2: In response to Bryan Alvarez’s claims on Wrestling Observer Live that AEW is receiving TV rights fees, John McMullen of TSN says that isn’t the case. Asked to comment on Alvarez’s claim that there are TV rights fees, McMullen told 411, “Yes, he’s incorrect.”

McMullen, who posted the initial details on the financial aspects of the deal as you can see earlier in this report, added, “Here’s the deal. People often spin these things how they want. For instance, fifty-two weeks of production at $500,000 is $26 million but that’s not rights fees. I’m coming from a sports background and things like production aren’t included. He may look at things differently.”

UPDATE: During today’s edition of Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez talked about the new broadcasting partnership with All Elite Wrestling and WarnerMedia that will see AEW have a show in primetime on TNT set to debut later this fall. Bryan Alvarez responded to the reports by John McMullen earlier that there were no rights fees on the All Elite Wrestling TV deal, and he said they were “incorrect.”

Alvarez and co-host Mike Sempervive said the following about the deal:

Sempervive : “The big negative about this deal, there are no TV rights fees, this is not a massive money deal per se.”
Alvarez: “Wait, wait, we don’t know any of that.”
Sempervive : “Well, well they did not announce that, you’re right. They seemingly reported though in some circles that this is not a rights deal.”
Alvarez: “Yeah, but that was incorrect.”
Sempervive : “So there is a rights deal?”
Alvarez: “Yes, they are making money off this television deal.”

ORIGINAL: It was announced earlier today that All Elite Wrestling has agreed to a deal with WarnerMedia which will see AEW air on TNT this fall. TSN’s John McMullen has reported more details on the situation on Twitter, stating there are no rights fees and that since AEW is being treated as a sports property, there are production fees and a “great” advertising split. He added that this is huge for a company that is just starting out.

Context of #AEWonTNT AEW TV Deal — Platform is amazing and this is an unprecedented deal for a start-up. Confirmed from a source on the television side there are no rights fees but as we have been saying here for weeks that should not have been expected…

— John McMullen (@JFMcMullen) May 15, 2019

…It's being treated like a sports property so production fees are there and a "great" advertising split for AEW. Remember, it took @VinceMcMahon nearly 20 years of producing highly-rated television before he got a somewhat significant rights deal…

— John McMullen (@JFMcMullen) May 15, 2019

…from Viacom at the turn of the century.The monster deal took over 35 years. TNA/Impact once had Hulk Hogan, Sting and Randy Savage and couldn't get this kind of platform. It's an amazing deal that those in @AEWrestling are ecstatic about….

— John McMullen (@JFMcMullen) May 15, 2019

…If it comes across as flat to some that's because they were expecting rights fees due to some shoddy reporting. Right now #AEW is set up like old #WWE where PPV numbers and advertising will be significant to growth. #WWE remains idiot-proof because of TV deal

— John McMullen (@JFMcMullen) May 15, 2019