Dave Meltzer reveals the latest on AEW-WBD negotiations, urges Tony Khan to "start talking to other people"
In 2019, the Tony Khan-led AEW struck a lucrative deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, allowing the promotion to air Dynamite on TNT. Over the years, their partnership has evolved because the Jacksonville-based company has introduced new programs such as Collision, Rampage, and All Access. Dave Meltzer recently discussed the future of the working relationship between the two organizations.
The contract between AEW and WBD is for five years, meaning it is set to expire later this year. Reports have suggested that the two companies are currently negotiating a new deal. However, they haven't agreed on a fresh contract yet.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Radio recently asked Tony Khan to start looking for alternative broadcasters who might be interested in securing AEW's media rights. The veteran believed the move could allow All Elite Wrestling to fetch a more lucrative offer from WBD.
"AEW would probably do well to start talking to other people because we’re at that point now. It’d probably be good to do that because then they do that, and it does put more pressure on WBD to make the deal. And if you have an outside suitor, you can get that price up," Meltzer said. [H/T: WrestleTalk]
Tony Khan recently discussed negotiations between AEW and WBD
In a recent interview with SportsGrid, the AEW President disclosed that his team's negotiations with WBD were optimistic but, there were several complications in the process.
"We're having great conversations at Warner Brothers Discovery, definitely that it's a great home for pro wrestling. We're really excited about having AEW every Wednesday on TBS and every weekend on TNT. I think it's awesome and we're having great conversations with Warner Brothers Discovery. Mr. [David] Zaslav [WBD CEO and President] himself has been really great, [and] very engaged. We're trying to figure this out. It's a very complicated thing," Khan said.
Tony Khan is the son of Pakistani-American businessman, Shahid Khan. Besides co-owing AEW, the latter owns Fulham F.C. and the Jacksonville Jaguars.