ESPN will be airing “SportsCenter” live from Wrestlemania this Sunday taking place at AT&T Stadium on Sunday. It will also feature live cut-ins throughout the day.
The move is a “specific content play” as the network attempts to appeal to ESPN viewers that also are WWE fans. The network had been featuring WWE in segments which now lead up to Sunday’s WrestleMania. This past Monday, ESPN anchor, and former WWE announcer, Jonathan Coachman made a guest appearance on Monday Night Raw to promote the event.
This past January, ESPN also featured Lucha Underground stars to promote its return to the El Rey Network. Last year it aired from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn where Summerslam took place.
(H/t via Sports Business Daily)
Payout Perspective:
The coverage is good for the WWE and promotes its network. It reflects the fact that ESPN is attempting to broaden its reach. While pro wrestling is considered “sports entertainment” and not purely sports, ESPN will be giving it the coverage like any other sport. It’s clear that it is a ratings-grab which the WWE does not mind at all.
E Tops says
WWE is paying espn.
Wil says
No boxing vs mma talk on this one?
Wil says
No boxing vs mma talk on this one?
Fight Fan says
Nah, nothing from d yet so we’re good. Nothing beats the old WWF days with the attitude era.
d says
Fight Fan is a boxing fanboy on a mma website who accuses others of stirring everything up, when he along with a few others come on here to do so.