WWE NXT Registers Financial Growth With 70% Increase in Rights Fees as the Promotion Strikes New Broadcast Deal

One of the most underrated brands of WWE, NXT might have just reached a major financial milestone. Since the Stamford-based promotion acquisition by Endeavor, there were rumors that NXT would undergo a change of broadcasting network. But the situation resembled a game of ‘musical chairs as rumors suggested several networks received a proposal regarding its broadcast. However, a recent confirmation that the developmental brand will now go to the CW network comes with a piece of good news for the promotion. 

WWE NXT secures the bag

Pro wrestling journalist, Sean Ross Sapp, provided the latest update on the financial outcomes of this deal. He stated that the promotion would attain a 70 percent increase in the rights fees for the brand. USA Network used to pay somewhere around $15 Million annually for the rights fees. Now, according to reports, it looks like the company will be earning somewhere around $20 to $25 Million annually. This will be the first time that the developmental brand will air on a major broadcasting network. 

The new contract also comes as a multi-year deal which will last for 5 years. Starting in October 2024, CW Network would aim to broadcast 52 episodes of the brand for five seasons. Apart from that, there are reports that the USA Network could pick up the blue brand, SmackDown, in October 2024. 

The deal got inked as the promotion’s five-year deal with Fox ends next year. WWE making this decision is considerable, with CW proving their capability with a good sporting schedule in the past couple of years. 

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But it’s not just that the NXT brand was served with a great deal without any effort. In recent years, the black and gold brand has seen some major developments. And it is safe to say that most of it happened under the leadership of the overseer of the creative aspects of NXT. 

How did Shawn Micheals shape up NXT?

Back in 2016, Michaels joined the WWE Performance Centre as a trainer for young and upcoming talents. Just a couple of years in, he started writing for the brand and donned the role of producer in 2018. However, in September 2021, Paul Levesque, who was the then Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative, had to step down from his role due to a ‘cardiac incident’. Following this, HBK decided to fill in the space of his former D Generation X stablemate until he recovers.

However, when Hunter returned, he realized that it would be a better idea to give this position to Michaels and thus he was permanently made the overseer in 2022. During this time, NXT was in the 2.0 era, which was not well received by fans. So at the Halloween Havoc 2022, they announced that the brand will go back to its original roots but with a slight change. Since then, the brand has seen some positive reception, and even John Cena felt that HBK might be responsible for this. How do you think NXT’s progress has been under Shawn Micheals’ management?

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