Overview
- TKO/WWE chief operating officer Mark Shapiro confirmed at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference that WWE and The Walt Disney Company are working on “special events” for 2027.
- Shapiro did not provide details on format, dates, locations, or which Disney assets will be involved, and neither company has issued a formal project announcement.
- The planned collaboration builds on WWE’s existing U.S. rights deal with Disney-owned ESPN, a five-year agreement reported to average about $325 million a year.
- Netflix remains a separate partner for Monday Night Raw in the U.S. and for international WWE content, with Netflix executives saying they continue to explore casting and promotional ties with WWE talent.
- WWE’s parent, TKO Group Holdings, emphasizes the company’s family-friendly audience as the rationale for a Disney tie-up and the next steps to watch are formal announcements that clarify the events’ scope and distribution.