A significant, unconfirmed rumor regarding the future of TNA Wrestling has emerged, suggesting that former UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta could be involved in a potential sale of the company. The news comes on the heels of a separate report that TNA is exploring a move to Wednesday nights as part of its ongoing media rights negotiations.
The rumor was reported by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, who first tweeted, “There are a ton of unconfirmed rumors in the wrestling industry that Lorenzo Fertitta could be buying TNA.” In a more detailed report on Fightful Select, Sapp added that Fertitta’s name “emerged from meetings this week.” He also noted that Conrad Thompson posted a GIF saying “Lorenzo!” which Sapp was told “was in response to rumors going around in wrestling that Lorenzo Fertitta could…for some reason be involved in a rumored sale of TNA.” Fertitta was the owner of UFC before its sale and subsequent placement under the TKO Group Holdings umbrella, which also owns WWE.
This speculation follows a report from Jon Alba of Sports Illustrated stating that TNA is “open to moving to Wednesday nights and opposing AEW as a part of media rights discussions.” According to both SI and Fightful, TNA President Carlos Silva would not deny the rumors when reached for comment.
The prospect of a TNA sale is not new. Fightful confirmed that “there have been feelers both from the Anthem side to find potential purchasers, as well as potential buyers making offers.” This history includes former TNA President Scott D’Amore, who has stated publicly that he tried to by the company. Before Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan’s failed bid to purchase the company in 2016, which ultimately led to Anthem Sports & Entertainment taking control, there have been various reports and rumors over the years about potential sales, including past speculation involving WWE.
AEW President Tony Khan has also been linked to a potential TNA purchase. Khan has stated that he was approached about potentially buying TNA before AEW started. The report adds that “sources have indicated to us that a few years ago, Khan was approached again, and opted against it.” A source told Fightful “that there wasn’t a lot of value for AEW in a TNA purchase, as most of the veterans in the company are on the ROH library as opposed to TNA’s.”
Sapp stressed the unconfirmed nature of the latest rumors in his report. “We should specify, we haven’t confirmed any of this regarding a TNA sale to be true, but it was going to emerge soon anyway, and we figured we’d provide as much context as possible,” he wrote. The situation remains fluid, with Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter also alluding to significant news on the horizon.
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