On Tuesday, WWE announced a contend deal with Front Office Sports (FOS). According to its press release the FOS will “bring audiences closer to key WWE moments and tentpole events through access-driven, behind-the-scenes content.”
Front Office Sports has made its name in the online sports reporting space as one that covers sports business. This new deal seems to indicate a pivot toward more content creation and aligning itself with spaces in which it reports.
From the press release, “WWE and FOS will collaborate on the creative development and execution of storytelling projects surrounding marquee Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, and international growth.” The release also states that FOS will share behind-the-scenes stories related to tentpole events in WWE starting with Wrestlemania.
For transparency sake, I was interviewed by FOS in July 2024 on a story about the FTC Noncompete Ruling.
Payout Perspective:
Its a sad day for journalism as its clear that this deal purchases the bias of a sports business reporting company. It will be unlikely that we will see any story from FOS which may be critical of any TKO property including WWE and the UFC. We have already seen “pay to play” with the Sports Business Journal and now FOS. Brandon Thurston reported that John WallStreet has received an investment from Nick Khan. Thus a lot of the companies that could report on controversial issues in combat sports (such as the Vince McMahon-Janel Grant matter or sports ties to Saudi Arabia) will not because of its close ties to TKO.
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