Barron’s, the sister publication to the Wall Street Journal and a subsidiary of Dow Jones & Company, is reporting that AEW’s Shad and Tony Khan are said to be interested in buying WWE.
The story notes that while the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund appears to be more likely to buy Vince McMahon’s company, the Khan family “is in the pool of potential buyers for WWE,” according to a source close to the potential transaction.
The story adds that “the Khans will likely look for a financial partner to acquire the asset. Tony Khan’s father Shahid Khan, a co-owner of AEW, already owns the football team Jacksonville Jaguars and the English soccer club Fulham Football Club, indicating the duo have deep pockets.”
This week during an interview with In The Zone, Tony Khan was asked if he is monitoring Vince McMahon’s return to WWE. He said, “Yeah, absolutely I’m following it, very closely.”
Comcast has also been mentioned as a potential buyer because of their longstanding relationship with WWE. Endeavor has also been rumored. Dave Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio that Nick Khan recently met with Disney CEO Bob Iger and ESPN President James Pitaro
“We think that now is the time to Buy WWE,” Benchmark’s Mike Hickey wrote on Friday. “Business momentum is strong, and future growth prospects appear promising.” Through the end of trading on Wednesday, the stock was up 24% since the close on Jan. 5, before Vince McMahon said he believed WWE should consider strategic alternatives.
