Documents Reveal WWE’s Raw and SmackDown TV Deals, Non‑Compete Clauses

Newly surfaced documents in the ongoing shareholders’ lawsuit detail WWE’s late‑2019-to‑late‑2024 TV agreements with NBCUniversal (Raw) and Fox (SmackDown), including annual values and restrictive non‑compete language. Raw was confirmed at a $265 million annual average with $15 million yearly escalators (total $1.325 billion), while SmackDown averaged $205 million per year with $12.5 million escalators (total $1.025 billion). NBCU’s deal barred other wrestling content from its cable networks and vertical sites (with a limited NBC Universo exception for non‑U.S. wrestling), and Fox’s agreement prohibited Fox‑owned outlets from exhibiting or promoting professional wrestling other than WWE; MMA and other combat sports were excluded from those restrictions.

The filings also outline creative and promotional terms: WWE retained final creative control while NBCU and Fox had consultation rights and required pre‑approval discussions for certain content, and Fox committed significant promotional support—about $125 million in promotional value and placements during NFL broadcasts—alongside obligations to produce weekly promo shows (one on broadcast TV never aired; the FS1 series WWE Backstage ran seven months). The contracts included limited re‑air rights and specific YouTube provisions, and the lawsuit alleges Vince McMahon favored a predetermined merger with UFC to secure a role in TKO; he stepped down from his TKO position when the Janel Grant lawsuit surfaced but remains the company’s largest individual shareholder. Reported by Post Wrestling’s Brandon Thurston.

Originally reported by Wrestling Observer: https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/past-wwe-tv-contracts-non-compete-details-nbcu-fox-revealed/.