We’ve heard it’s coming, but now the legal process could delay the AEW television deal with Warner Brothers-Discovery.
Also Read: Bryan Danielson’s Current AEW Deal Has Expired
Before too much hate gets considered, let me say this. The following does not mean the actual deal is at risk. But, Warner Brothers-Discovery, along with ESPN and Fox, had been planning a new sports streaming service known as Venu. That service was supposed to launch imminently, but a judge has paused things for the time being. Streaming platform FuboTV filed suit earlier this year against the proposed merger, and now a judge has decided to give that suit a chance, per a story in ESPN.
The legal proceedings might impact and possibly delay the already-delayed AEW television deal. Thus far, more talk has been of seeing AEW on one of the other mainstream WBD channels or streaming services, such as Max. And that could be the case, and the legal issues just are a distraction.
But…
If you are WBD and you are kicking off a streaming platform with partners, what is one thing that platform needs? Content, and lots of it. What’s something that generates tons of content? Professional wrestling. So, even if AEW shows like Dynamite may be destined for more mainstream channels and platforms, it would honestly stun me if AEW content didn’t also end up on Venu, if and when it is allowed to launch. That being said, the hints from Tony Khan do make it sound like the deal will happen regardless of the legal issues facing WBD, which would make sense.
Also Read: Shane McMahon And Tony Khan Have Met
It is by no means a death blow. Not even close. But for a deal that has been rumored and expected and delayed? I don’t think it is unreasonable to think that one situation might have some impact on the other. Like, has part of the delay of any announcement been because Venu is currently working through the legalities? I don’t think so, but anything is possible.
