WWE is a cash cow thanks to guaranteed TV deals with NBCU and FOX for its weekly programs, record-breaking gates with live events, and off-the-charts merchandise sales.
The company secured a streaming agreement with Peacock for its premium live events and monetized its library. WWE is also considering new revenue-generating strategies, including one that Vince McMahon has previously dismissed.
McMahon has traditionally been opposed to advertisements in the ring on the mat and turnbuckles, though he has made exceptions in the past for large sums of money. Things may be changing now, with new owners and McMahon not having as much control as he once did.
Dave Meltzer reported in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE is looking to have advertisements placed at ringside. AEW and UFC advertisements can be found on the ring/cage side.
Meltzer wrote, “Another change you can expect is the look of the ringside area. In the past, Vince McMahon was a proponent of a clean ring, meaning no advertising on the mats, the barricades, or around the ring. Obviously that has changed due to the influence of Nick Khan. They noted that Vince is no longer thinking that way and that advertising in and around the ring will be opening up more advertising inventory and they are very happy McMahon agreed to it.”
It is unknown when this will be implemented.