Tony Khan has commented on WWE sale rumors.
On January 12, Barron's reported that Tony and Shad Khan were "in the pool of" potential WWE buyers. The report noted that the Khan family will likely look for a financial partner if they are to acquire WWE as an asset.
Appearing on The Maggie and Perloff Show, Tony Khan was asked about his interest in potentially purchasing WWE.
"I am interested in the news that there is potentially a sales process and certainly, I think we've shown, when there are acquisitions and transactions, we're capable of making the big purchases, whether my dad steps up with the (Jacksonville) Jaguars or Fulham FC in the Premier League and he's done such a great job building up the club and putting resources into it and we're playing football at a high level. With AEW, we've shown that we can build a company. Even when I purchased Ring of Honor, that's a very different thing than WWE, but Ring of Honor is a company with 20 years of history and I really have enjoyed running it and we've shown that we're at all time highs in terms of every business metric since we relaunched it and it's only going to get better. AEW is my main focus, but certainly, when that news is out there, it's very interesting. Stay tuned to AEW Dynamite and AEW Rampage, you never know when I'm going to address something. On the other hand, it's very preliminary to talk about that process. If there is a process there, which it sounds like there may be, I'm interested in being part of it," he said.
When asked if he has a relationship with Vince McMahon, Tony commented, "No, I don't have any relationship with him. I've talked with Stephanie and have had good conversations with Stephanie, but I don't know Vince at all."
Stephanie McMahon resigned from her position as Co-CEO of WWE on January 10. Vince McMahon, who returned to the board of directors on January 6, was voted Executive Chairman of the Board the same day as Stephanie's resignation.
Asked about Stephanie's resignation, Tony said, "I can't speak to it. I haven't talked to her in a long time and I can't speak to what is happening there."
A report from CNBC said that the Khans were open to discussing a role for Vince if Shad & Tony purchased the company.
WWE put out a press release on Thursday, January 12 evening announcing they have "engaged outside advisors to support review of strategic alternatives," mentioning that media rights negotiations are coming up. In the press release it is said, "WWE does not intend to comment further until the process has concluded or the Company has otherwise determined that further disclosure is appropriate or required."
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