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WWE Had Talks With ESPN for Smackdown Live, ESPN Couldn’t Make It Fit the Schedule

May 14, 2019 | Posted by Jeffrey Harris
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– While Smackdown Live is moving to the FOX Network later this fall, another broadcasting partner that didn’t pan out was actually none other than ESPN. The Wrap published a new report by Tony Maglio today, where ESPN Executive Vice President of Programming and Scheduling Burke Magnus revealed that the network actually had talks with WWE to bring Smackdown Live to ESPN. However, the deal ultimately did not move forward.

Per Magnus, ESPN took a “hard look” at bringing Smackdown Live to ESPN, but they couldn’t make it fit into ESPN’s current schedule. Magnus stated, “We did talk to WWE during their process some months ago. Took a hard look at it, we’re obviously big fans of them. We just went into business with them on the XFL indirectly. But we couldn’t find a fit for it, primarily based on schedule.”

He added, “As you know, those properties are 52 weeks a year live. And I’m proud to say we have a pretty good problem, which is that we can’t clear anything 52 weeks a year live. We have a pretty full portfolio of content as it is.”

Magnus denied that ESPN tried to discuss an offseason with WWE to make Smackdown Live work on the current network programming schedule. He stated, “Not specifically that, but we looked at all kinds of conversations to try and make it fit. It just didn’t work. We parted ways and they got a good deal with their new partners, continuing at NBC(Universal’s USA Network) and adding Fox. So all’s well that ends well for them — but we gave it a good try.”

ESPN is already the current broadcast partner with the UFC, showing live events on ESPN and ESPN+. ESPN+ is also the exclusive pay-per-view destination for UFC now. Per Magnus, Smackdown Live joining ESPN would’ve been “in addition” to the UFC broadcast deal.

Additionally, Magnus said that ESPN did not have any sort of TV negotiations with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). On the subject, he stated, “They did not come to us.” As noted, an AEW TV deal is reportedly slated to take place this week at the WarnerMedia Upfronts set for May 15. If you’d like to know more on that rumored TV deal, you can check out 411’s exclusive interview with Tony Maglio RIGHT HERE.

FOX is set to pay WWE in the amount of nearly $1 billion for a five-year deal for Smackdown Live.

article topics :

ESPN, Smackdown Live, WWE, Jeffrey Harris