Brandon Thurston

TKO CEO Ari Emanuel, Stephanie McMahon among upcoming depositions in WWE shareholder lawsuit - Wrestlenomics Emanuel, who made the deal with Vince McMahon to form TKO, will be questioned under oath in December. Stephanie and Brad Blum will also be deposed in the shareholder lawsuit.

TKO CEO Ari Emanuel, Stephanie McMahon among upcoming depositions in WWE shareholder lawsuit

Emanuel will be questioned under oath in December. Stephanie and Brad Blum will also be deposed in the shareholder lawsuit.

A great discussion with Douglas Pucci of Programming Insider on the impact Nielsen’s new methodology is having on TV ratings and wrestling in particular.

AEW's HBO Max simulcasts are not counted in Nielsen TV ratings, even under the new methodology, WBD says - Wrestlenomics Nielsen's new Big Data + Panel system is measuring lower TV ratings for wrestling programs, but Warner Bros. Discovery says AEW's live streams on HBO Max still aren't counted in those measurements.

AEW's HBO Max simulcasts are not counted in Nielsen TV ratings, even under the new methodology, WBD says

Nielsen has changed how TV ratings are measured. Here's what it means for wrestling programs. - Wrestlenomics The era of Big Data + Panel is upon us. Some shows might measure generally lower (or higher), complicating comparisons.

Nielsen has changed how TV ratings are measured. Here's what it means for wrestling programs.

The era of Big Data + Panel is upon us. Some shows might measure generally lower (or higher), complicating comparisons.

John Laurinaitis deposed, Vince McMahon's assistants subpoenaed in shareholder lawsuit - Wrestlenomics More subpoenas have been filed in the lawsuit that alleges McMahon predetermined the TKO merger process. Liberty Media and KKR will also be deposed.

John Laurinaitis deposed, Vince McMahon's assistants subpoenaed in shareholder lawsuit

More subpoenas have been filed in the lawsuit that alleges McMahon predetermined the TKO merger process. Liberty Media and KKR will also be deposed.

I.F. Stone

Or travel abroad and watch on Netflix.

Wrestlepalooza should be no added cost today if you're a customer of Spectrum, Hulu + Live TV, Verizon FIOS, Fubo, or a streaming customer of DirecTV.

Otherwise, you'll need to sub for $30. Full access to the new ESPN app might get worked into other providers by next year.

Independent events uncertain about following WrestleMania to Saudi Arabia With WrestleMania set for Riyadh in 2027, it’s early, but signs point to at least some of the usual independent events being uncertain about whether they’ll follow WWE to Saudi Arabia.

New original reporting:

With WrestleMania set for Riyadh in 2027, it’s early, but signs point to at least some of the usual independent events being uncertain about whether they’ll follow WWE to Saudi Arabia.
www.postwrestling.com/2025/09/17/i...

Watch WWE Wrestlepalooza this Saturday on the all new enhanced ESPN app (maybe if you have access)

No, they're not going private. Publicly-traded companies that are doing well financially often do stock buybacks. It's a strategy to help drive the share price higher. This was expected.

TKO Announces $1 Billion in Share Repurchases 09/15/2025 Including $800 Million Accelerated Share Repurchase, Up to $174 Million 10b5-1 Trading Plan, and a $26 Million Privately Negotiated Transaction NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) (“TKO” or the “Company”), a premium sports and entertainment company, today announced that it has entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (the “ASR Agreement”) to repurchase $800 million of its outstanding Class A common stock. The Company also announced that it has entered into a 10b5-1 trading plan for the repurchase of up to $174 million of its outstanding Class A common stock (the “10b5-1 Plan”). In addition, on September 5, 2025, the Company repurchased approximately $26 million of its outstanding Class A common stock under a privately negotiated transaction. Repurchases under the ASR Agreement, the 10b5-1 Plan, and the privately negotiated transaction are being completed under TKO’s previously announced $2.0 billion share repurchase authorization. “This plan to repurchase $1 billion in shares reflects our conviction in the business and the intrinsic value of our stock,” said Mark Shapiro, President and COO, TKO. “The repurchases, together with the recent 100% increase to our quarterly cash dividend program, reflect our continued commitment to a robust and sustainable capital return program. We remain focused on executing our balanced capital deployment strategy to deliver long-term value for our shareholders.” Under the ASR Agreement, on September 16, 2025, the Company will pay $800 million to Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and expects to receive an initial delivery of 3,161,430 shares of Class A common stock...

TKO press release

open.substack.com/pub/brandont...

WNBA attendance data Most teams' attendances were up despite injuries of star players

WNBA attendance data: Most teams' attendances were up despite injuries of star players
open.substack.com/pub/brandont...

State of the Business: Notes not noted elsewhere, attendance, and TV rankings for the week - Wrestlenomics Updates on WWE shareholder lawsuit: Vince McMahon, Nick Khan, Paul Levesque, others to be deposed; Eisold v. Cody trademark case update; various public records issues.

Updates on WWE shareholder lawsuit: Vince McMahon, Nick Khan, Paul Levesque, others to be deposed; Eisold v. Cody trademark case update; various public records issues.

Opinion | I hate politics. That’s why I’m going to love WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia. There's nothing political about WWE’s billion-dollar partnership with a political regime.

NEW: Please don't politicize WrestleMania.

WWE delivers shareholder value and normalizes an awe-inspiring dictatorship that pays them extremely well—all while entertaining you.

There's nothing political about that. www.postwrestling.com/2025/09/12/o...

Stagehand union keeps pressure on 2300 Arena for second week of AEW residency POST Wrestling spoke with IATSE Local 8 Business Agent Phil Effinger and 2300 Arena CEO Roger Artigiani, as union seeks a long-term agreement.

NEW: @postwrestling.com spoke with an IATSE Local 8 representative and 2300 Arena’s CEO as the union pushes for a long-term agreement with venue.

Picketing is expected to continue through next week during AEW’s residency in Philadelphia.
www.postwrestling.com/2025/09/03/s...

The recorded messages are calling for anyone working here to join the line, but not for anyone attending to boycott AEW. They also reference AEW's earnings and attendance figures, acknowledging the business of All In Texas, but not of the recent TV with low attendance. [2/3]

2300 Arena CEO Roger Artigiani to POST Wrestling:

“Our workers are being paid the fair wage that they claim is not being paid."

Reporting by @brandonthurston.bsky.social & @jackwannan.bsky.social

Stagehands union protest outside 2300 Arena ahead of AEW residency, venue denies pay claim - POST Wrestling | Podcasts, News, Reviews | WWE AEW NXT NJPW IATSE Local 8 says stagehands at AEW's 2300 Arena residency are underpaid, while the venue's CEO insists workers are getting fair wages.

NEW: 2300 Arena's CEO asserts to @postwrestling.com that stagehands are being paid to the union standard.

Plus statements from AEW and IATSE's nationwide office. With @jackwannan.bsky.social.
www.postwrestling.com/2025/08/27/l...

In this video from Local 8's Facebook page, they explain 2300 Arena is a non-union venue and AEW is choosing to work with them. AEW will run 7 events there from tonight through Sept 6.

IATSE Local 8 is protesting AEW and 2300 Arena's stagehand compensation ahead the series of shows that begin tonight in Philadelphia.

They've also posted videos on their Facebook page outside the venue, using AEW's business talking points against them: facebook.com/IATSELocal8

NEW: Janel Grant's medical records were briefly filed publicly by Dr. Carlon Colker's counsel in defamation suit.

The filing was sealed the next day in a case related Grant's care at Colker's clinic, where Vince McMahon allegedly direct her for treatment.
www.postwrestling.com/2025/08/21/j...

WWE’s Growing Dominance: Aggressive Tactics Against AEW | Pollock & Thurston - Wrestlenomics WWE's September PLE possibly airing on ESPN, TNA is open to a move to directly oppose AEW, Triplemanía XXXIII from Mexico City.

WWE’s Growing Dominance: Aggressive Tactics Against AEW | Pollock & Thurston

WWE's September PLE possibly airing on ESPN, TNA is open to a move to directly oppose AEW, Triplemanía XXXIII from Mexico City.

Exclusive: NXT to hold premium live event in Fort Lauderdale next month John Pollock & Brandon Thurston can report that NXT will be heading to Fort Lauderdale for a premium live event in September.

NXT No Mercy PLE planned for Sep 27 in Ft. Lauderdale

Exclusive w/ @iamjohnpollock.bsky.social
www.postwrestling.com/2025/08/20/e...

ESPN: "On Sept 20, ESPN becomes the exclusive U.S. domestic home of all WWE PLEs, with all PLEs available to ESPN DTC subscribers with the unlimited plan. Additional upcoming WWE PLEs this year include Crown Jewel® on Saturday, Oct 11, and Survivor Series® on Saturday, Nov 29."

ESPN press release: "ESPN and WWE today announced that WWE Premium Live Events will debut on ESPN platforms beginning September 20, earlier than previously announced."

ESPN's DTC streaming platform launches tomorrow.

Confirm's @postwrestling.com earlier report of PLE on Sept 20.

Las Vegas Stadium Authority discloses WrestleMania 41 attendance - Wrestlenomics 58,538 on Saturday and 60,103 on Sunday

Las Vegas Stadium Authority discloses WrestleMania 41 attendance

58,538 on Saturday and 60,103 on Sunday

Class action lawsuits filed by Misha Cirkunov & Phil Davis against UFC Class action lawsuits filed by Misha Cirkunov & Phil Davis against UFC

In fact a new pair of class action cases were filed against UFC last May. Unfortunately for TKO, no EO or secret back door deal has caused this to be dismissed yet. www.postwrestling.com/2025/05/30/c...

And no the President of the United States yes even the current one doesn’t have the power to control civil lawsuits. Being connected to the President has yet to make lawsuits disappear. Best friend UFC’s antitrust claims included.