WWE CEO Nick Khan is speaking highly of Amazon at a time when the company is in talks with networks for the next set of media rights deals for Raw and SmackDown ahead of those contracts with USA Network and FOX expiring next year.
WWE is out of its exclusive negotiations window with USA and FOX about renewing its media rights deals with the companies, allowing them to remain in talks and speak with other networks.
While taking part in the Moffett Nathanson conference talk, Khan praised Amazon. He also noted that SmackDown could move off Friday nights should they leave FOX. The show has aired on Tuesday and Thursday nights in the past.
WWE's Nick Khan just said #SmackDown could switch nights (again) if it goes somewhere else for its next deal. Was speaking pretty highly of Amazon…
— Tony Maglio (@TonyMaglio) May 18, 2023
Either way, Khan, being interviewed at the SVB MoffettNathanson Conference, foresees a U.S. rights increase of 1.5x or so. So, we're talking about an opening figure of $1.5 billion for 5 years of #SmackDown, should length of term remain same. https://t.co/pHk89UxvOF
— Tony Maglio (@TonyMaglio) May 18, 2023
Khan also laid out a case for Netflix to want WWE (It has a lot to do with India) and complimented their entry into live. (The Chris Rock special, not the #LoveIsBlind reunion disaster) https://t.co/e9f8k9CuSI
— Tony Maglio (@TonyMaglio) May 18, 2023
This isn’t the first time that Khan has spoken highly of Amazon:
Could Friday Night #Smackdown be coming to Amazon? @WWE CEO Nick Khan was the Big Get on this week's episode of the Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast: https://t.co/FUvbKK8Y7f pic.twitter.com/dYGlkdLuBe
— Sports Business Journal (@SBJ) April 2, 2023
Khan also announced the company would return to India for a live event in September. Whether this would be a house show or an International premium live event is unclear.
As previously reported, there are plans in place to run a PLE outside the United States this September, so this could be it.
WWE CEO Nick Khan breaks some news right now at MoffettNathanson conference talk. He says $WWE will do a live event in India this September.
— Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) May 18, 2023
