AEW boss Tony Khan ‘disappointed’ in Warner Bros. offers Discovery as wrestling brand considers switching broadcasters

AEW owner and CEO Tony Khan is reportedly unhappy with Warner Bros. Discovery in contract negotiations.

has been busy fighting to retain the NBA’s media rights, but as the battle rages on, they also have the chance to lose AEW.

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According to Puck’s Matthew Belloni, WBD wants to keep AEW on its roster, but the offers haven’t impressed Khan.

“[WBD CEO David] Zaslav and TNT Sports head Luis Silberwasser would like to maintain AEW’s five hours of programming per week on TNT and TBS,” Belloni reported.

“But the clock is ticking. I’m told the exclusive window closes in July, and AEW leader Tony Khan is disappointed with the offer currently on the table.

“Khan also certainly knows that Zaz’s loss in the NBA would give AEW more leverage, even if the money to revamp AEW is a mere drop in the NBA’s bucket.

“If the window closes without a deal, others will be able to claim these rights, as Comcast did with the NBA.”

WBD has an ownership stake in AEW, but that wouldn’t give them any extra leverage to keep them on TNT.

The wrestling promotion’s exclusive negotiating window ends in July and could be an attractive production for streaming services.

AEW’s reviews have dropped recently, but its flagship show, AEW Dynamite, is still performing well.

The biggest problem is that many streaming services already have deals with rival promotion WWE.

Netflix, NBC Universal and The CW have media rights deals with WWE.

“I’m not sure how attractive AEW would be to another platform, especially since only non-WWE partners would be able to compete,” Belloni reported.

“But the wrestling shows still do well on the Turner networks, it’s reliable programming, and a rival suitor could push Zaslav further into a tight spot in his cable car business.”

Belloni’s reports contradict some of the praise Khan himself has given Warner Bros. Discovery last week.

“It’s a really exciting time for AEW,” Khan told Sports Illustrated.

“We are in active negotiations for AEW media rights. Warner Bros. Discovery continues to be the best possible partner and they have helped us develop this brand.

“It will be a very exciting end to the year and we will find out where AEW will live.

“For everyone who cares about AEW around the world, we are in a great position. This will work out great for AEW.

“We are having great conversations and people should feel very confident about what this means for the fighters, the team and the fans.

“As a result of everyone’s hard work and endless fan support, there will be tremendous business for AEW. The prospects for the company are very good moving forward.”

Time will tell if AEW signs a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery before its exclusive window ends in July, or if they end up with a new streaming partner.

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