Chief Model Officer and TV Character of WWE, Stephanie McMahon delivers her keynote tackle on the opening of Sports activities Issues along side All That Issues 2016 in Singapore on September 14, 2016.
Roslan Rahman | AFP | Getty Pictures
WWEÂ and trade analysts agree: The professional wrestling and media firm can squeeze extra income out of sponsorship offers.
The corporate leans on the mental property constructed round performers resembling celebrity personalities like The Undertaker, John Cena, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Roman Reigns and Bianca Belair. Income from its reside occasions, that are returning as Covid restrictions ease, and media choices are fueled partially by sponsorship {dollars}.Â
WWE this yr goals to fill soccer stadiums and develop its programming, in keeping with Frank Riddick, WWE’s chief monetary officer. Riddick, who took over the job in November, stated after final week’s earnings launch that the corporate is making sponsorship a precedence this yr.
In 2021, WWE reported roughly $72 million mixed for promoting and sponsorships in its media and reside occasions companies.
WWE made greater than $10 million in sponsorship charges alone for final month’s marquee Wrestlemania 38, govt Stephanie McMahon stated final week. That was a report for the two-day occasion held at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. WWE’s sponsorship companions embody Toyota, DoorDash, Rocket Mortgage and Rihanna’s Fenty Magnificence cosmetics line, stated McMahon, who can also be the daughter of longtime CEO Vince McMahon.
Analysts recommend the WWE is undervalued on the subject of sponsorship income, estimating the corporate lures round $35 million per yr simply from sponsorships. That is lower than combat-sports firm UFC, which attracts greater than $100 million yearly, in keeping with a Guggenheim Companions be aware to shoppers final month.
Whereas WWE lags behind UFC in total reputation, its followers are the most definitely to note sponsors, in keeping with sponsorship consulting agency IEG. Sixty-seven % of WWE’s followers usually tend to devour manufacturers related to the corporate, in keeping with IEG’s analysis, which used knowledge from polling outfit YouGov. That is forward of the 55% common for the group of the 11 largest sports activities leagues, together with the NFL, which is by far the most well-liked sports activities group in america.
“All that does is spell potential and alternative,” stated Peter Laatz, IEG’s international managing director. He stated he thinks WWE can clear over $100 million in annual sponsorship income.
However he additionally famous WWE won’t be the “proper match for essentially the most prosperous classes or high tier manufacturers.”
The WWE didn’t return a CNBC request to debate its sponsorships.
WWE’s place within the streaming world
WWE will get most of its income from its media enterprise, accounting for $278.1 million of its $333.4 million total income within the quarter ended March 31. Promoting and sponsorship income within the media section grew 27% to $19.8 million from the year-ago interval.
The corporate is making ready for a key media offers amid an “more and more cluttered streaming market,” WWE President Nick Khan stated on final week’s earnings name. Hulu’s deal for day 2 rights round WWE’s weekly “Uncooked” program expires this yr.
Day 2 rights enable subscribers to observe “Uncooked” and “Smackdown,” one other weekly present, 24 hours after they first air. Uncooked airs reside on USA Community, and Smackdown is proven on Fox. After 30 days, subscribers to NBCUniversal’s Peacock service can watch the reveals. (In 2021, WWE entered a five-year deal with NBCUniversal for a reported $1 billion to license its library and present reside fundamental occasions on Peacock.)
Khan additionally advised a brand new participant may enter the sports activities streaming sport.
“It is only a matter of time earlier than Netflix goes with reside,” stated Khan. He added the reside occasions generate the best client impressions for networks and streaming firms.
Netflix is certainly seeking to bounce again as its outcomes undergo whereas viewers shake off pandemic restrictions and head again out into the world. In April, Netflix reported a decline in subscribers and warned of hundreds of thousands of extra losses within the months forward. Co-CEO Ted Sarandos stated on the time he would not see a worthwhile manner for the streamer to get into sports activities, though its “Formulation 1: Drive to Survive” collection has been a smash hit.
Netflix most likely would not be desirous about WWE, anyway, in keeping with longtime media rights advisor Lee Berke, because the wrestling firm is already tied up with Peacock. He stated it could make extra sense for the NBCUniversal service so as to add extra WWE rights.
“That is a significant relationship for them, and there is a lot they’ll do to construct on that,” stated Berke, CEO of LHB Sports activities, which advises the sports activities leisure trade. “But when [Netflix] goes to make a transfer for WWE, I see them making an aggressive for all of their content material or main reside occasions.”
WWE can also be abroad growth, notably in India, house to a billion folks and a growing middle class. WWE estimates its content material is proven in additional than 180 countries. The corporate stated it drew 25 million viewers for an unique occasion showcasing U.S. WWE wrestlers competing towards India-born performers. Wrestlemania drew greater than 50 million viewers final month in India.
Khan, the WWE president, known as India a “vastly necessary market.” However, he added, WWE is ready for networks to complete bidding on rights to cricket – the most well-liked sport within the nation – earlier than the corporate determines its future media market there.
Disclosure: Peacock proprietor NBCUniversal can also be the mum or dad firm of CNBC.
