Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
TNA President Carlos Silva was interviewed by JohnWallStreet.com and noted the company is being represented by CAA in media rights discussions and is seeking a $10 million a year deal. Silva also noted the company's hope to go live weekly with Impact if and when they acquire the media rights deal, but also stated the brand is not yet profitable - and that a sale isn't out of the realm of possibility.
A “new media rights deal will help us build a more consistent fan base with larger reach,” Silva said. “It will also provide us the opportunity to go live 52 weeks a year, and in today’s world live matters [in terms of fan interest and revenues].”
“We’re talking to [all the established] linear guys and a couple of newer platforms that need a foundational [programming] centerpiece,” Silva said. “There are a couple of networks, that look like Spike [TV] in today's world, we could be a good fit for; the same way [UFC and TNA were for that network a decade or two ago].”
Silva praised the attention the WWE NXT relationship has garnered TNA and noted that when they go live, TNA hits the 100,000 audience range.
Silva did not shoot down the idea of selling off their Sports Division if they cannot make the brand profitable.
“Either we keep [the portfolio] and continue to grow [it], or there could be a spinoff of the Anthem Sports Division,” Silva said. That division includes TNA as well as INVITCA and The Fight Network.
The article noted, "TNA is not yet profitable. But the business is said to be ‘moving in the right direction’."
Anthem acquired TNA in 2017 when the company called in their debt marker on then-majority owner Dixie Carter, reversing positions and taking over all aspects of the promotion. Anthem turned down an attempt by Scott D'Amore to purchase the company when he was dismissed from his position as TNA President several years ago.
The JohnWallStreet.com article noted that there's been speculation that WWE parent company TKO could end up acquiring TNA. TNA and WWE NXT are currently in the first year of an announced three-year partnership.
It was noted that TNA Slammiversary next week is set up for 6,000 seats at the UBS Arena on Long Island, NY.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
