ESPN Reportedly Does Not Plan to Renew WWE Deal After Current Contract Expires

ESPN reportedly does not plan to renew its expensive media-rights agreement with WWE when the five-year contract reaches its conclusion.

The surprising development comes approximately one year after WWE Premium Live Events began airing on ESPN’s Unlimited streaming plan in the United States.

According to SEScoops, multiple sources said the partnership has faced problems involving the current sports-media market, disagreements over “culture and synergy” and difficulties convincing television providers to include ESPN Unlimited for their customers.

Neither ESPN nor WWE has publicly confirmed that the partnership will end. The report also does not suggest that either company intends to terminate the agreement early.

Why the WWE–ESPN Deal Is Reportedly Struggling

ESPN and WWE announced their five-year agreement in August 2025. The contract was reportedly valued at approximately $1.6 billion, with ESPN paying around $325 million annually for the domestic rights to WWE’s biggest events.

The package includes WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, Survivor Series and Money in the Bank, along with additional Premium Live Events and surrounding programming.

When the partnership was announced, ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said WWE’s major events would strengthen the network’s content portfolio and help drive its streaming future.

WWE President Nick Khan described the agreement as a pivotal moment for WWE’s American audience. ESPN’s original announcement positioned the relationship as an important part of ESPN’s direct-to-consumer expansion.

However, SEScoops reports that the agreement was negotiated primarily at the executive level between Disney and WWE parent company TKO Group Holdings.

One source claimed there was very little communication between the companies when ESPN Unlimited launched and WWE events began airing through the service. Coordination reportedly improved later, with ESPN increasing its promotion of WWE across its television programs and digital platforms.

Cable-Provider Strategy Reportedly Fell Short

One of the most significant issues reportedly involves ESPN’s original distribution strategy.

Disney hoped cable, satellite and streaming television providers would include ESPN Unlimited with their existing packages. WWE’s Premium Live Events were expected to give providers another incentive to reach distribution agreements with ESPN.

According to the report, those agreements did not materialize as widely or as quickly as anticipated.

That left ESPN with more responsibility for selling the $29.99-per-month service directly to individual customers. The network has since expanded access through bundles and participating television providers, but the reported distribution problems created complications during the partnership’s first year.

ESPN Unlimited’s price is also scheduled to increase on September 17. The monthly price will rise from $29.99 to $31.99, while the annual plan will increase from $299.99 to $319.99, according to Sports Media Watch.

The higher price could make customer retention more difficult, especially for wrestling fans who subscribed primarily to watch WWE’s Premium Live Events.

WWE’s Increased ESPN Exposure Has Created Backlash

ESPN has recently increased WWE’s presence across its programming.

WWE personalities and storylines have been discussed on ESPN morning shows, while portions of Premium Live Events have aired on the network’s traditional television channels. Some events have also received broader availability outside the most expensive streaming tier.

That additional promotion may help introduce WWE to mainstream sports audiences, but it has also produced criticism from viewers who believe ESPN is dedicating too much coverage to professional wrestling.

SEScoops cited recent criticism over WWE receiving more discussion on ESPN’s principal morning programs than Major League Baseball and the NHL during the same period.

The reaction highlights one of the reported cultural challenges within the partnership. WWE presents scripted sports entertainment, while much of ESPN’s traditional audience expects news and analysis centered on competitive sports.

That does not mean WWE cannot succeed on the platform, but ESPN must determine how to promote the product without alienating other parts of its audience.

What Happens to WWE Premium Live Events Now?

Nothing changes immediately for WWE viewers.

The current agreement remains active, and WWE’s Premium Live Events are expected to continue airing through ESPN’s platforms for the remainder of the contract. The report concerns ESPN’s intentions when the existing deal expires—not an early cancellation.

SEScoops also noted that the situation could potentially change if ESPN Unlimited experiences a major increase in subscriptions or if more television providers reach favorable distribution agreements with the network.

Media-rights strategies can change significantly over several years. New executives, shifting subscriber numbers or improved business terms could eventually cause ESPN to reconsider its position.

Until ESPN, WWE or TKO publicly addresses the report, the planned non-renewal should be treated as an internally reported position rather than a finalized announcement.

Where Could WWE Go Next?

If ESPN ultimately allows the agreement to expire, WWE will likely attract interest from several major media companies.

Netflix already carries WWE Raw and distributes the company’s Premium Live Events in numerous international markets. Peacock previously served as the domestic streaming home of WWE’s major events and continues to maintain a relationship with WWE programming through NBCUniversal.

Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, YouTube and other streaming services could also become potential bidders depending on the media landscape when the rights become available.

WWE’s largest events remain valuable live programming because they attract loyal viewers, generate social-media discussion and encourage fans to maintain subscriptions throughout the year.

For now, WWE’s biggest events remain on ESPN. However, the report suggests that the partnership once promoted as a major step in ESPN’s streaming future may already have an expiration date.

Do you believe WWE is a good fit for ESPN, or should Premium Live Events move to another streaming service when the contract expires? Let us know in the comments.