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Following this weekend’s travel issues leaving Saudi Arabia, WWE is attempting to shoot down any speculation regarding their partnership with the country and the Saudi General Entertainment Authority.
The company issued the following statement to Forbes regarding reports that Vince McMahon asked to cut the feed following non-payment of monies owed.
“We have a good relationship with our partners, and the feed issues were unrelated to anything of that nature [payment dispute]. We’ve been public with mechanical issues, the charter company has as well”
The company also issued the following press release regarding event expansion in Saudi Arabia. The WWE states they have expanded their live event partnership through 2027 to include a second large-scale event.
WWE® and the Saudi General Entertainment Authority Expand Event Partnership
STAMFORD, Conn. & RIYADH, Saudi Arabia–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Following the historic Crown Jewel event in Riyadh, WWE (NYSE: WWE) and the Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA) have expanded their live event partnership through 2027 to include a second annual large-scale event. WWE and GEA also continue to work towards the completion of a media agreement in the MENA region.
This long-term partnership demonstrates WWE and GEA’s commitment to bring sports entertainment to the region and supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
In a separate statement to HeelByNature.com, a WWE representative noted the following when asked about the company hosting two events in the country. Tony Maglio of The Wrap notes that WWE is only contracted to run one event per year in the country, despite having done two shows per year in 2018 and 2019.
As I’m sure you’ve seen, WWE has been public in our earnings materials about working on a long-term agreement for a second large-scale event annually; this is that agreement.