Is NXT Financially Successful + How Does WWE Handle Social Media Accounts?

-Something that is not often thought of is how well smaller promotions are faring. While WWE developmental territory NXT is not, in and of itself, a smaller promotion, Wrestling Observer recently took a look at it, with supporting info from Sports Business Journal. This was an interesting look at just how well the black and yellow brand does, or does not do, fiscally speaking.

Some interesting items from the piece:

• NXT developmental deals typically range from between $50,000 and $150,000 dollars per talent. Presumably, some of the previously established stars who come through Florida for a WWE tuning (like say, Samoa Joe or Shinsuke Nakamura) might come in with a more lucrative deal.
• Unlike main roster talents, when NXT does it’s Road Trip tours, the company foots the bill for hotels.
• While these are all rough estimates, the Observer figured that NXT has roughly $8 million in annual expenses, and an estimated $6.4 million from TakeOver ticket sales, plus maybe another $1 million on merchandising.

That last one is noteworthy because it indicates the developmental arm of WWE is likely a loss leader, though not by a massive amount. Despite potentially being in the red, the overall operational and strategic value to the company is clear, so it’s not a huge loss to absorb.

It will be interesting to see if WWE ever looks to bring even a small number of NXT events per year to a lucrative broadcast network. NXT coming in for four “Saturday Night’s Main Event” specials on NBC could be huge, and could quickly erase any red tape.

-WWE is notoriously protective of its talent when it comes to names and rights. More often than not, the company owns the names to characters. This is why, when Superstars leave, rarely can their likeness follow them. Some, like Hulk Hogan, are rare exceptions to this rule.

There are conflicting reports about how tight a grip the company has over it’s Superstars and their social media accounts. Some have said the company does not run or control the accounts, but former Superstar Ryback has provided documentation that contradicts things.

Add this in to the reports of morale issues backstage, and this will be interesting to watch unfold.