Billy Corgan has a reason for keeping the NWA completely self-funded.
Speaking with the Toronto Sun, Corgan, who purchased the NWA in May 2017, explained that he has resisted taking outside money to help fund the NWA so that when he does find the right partner to bring the brand to the next level, he doesn't need to convince anybody but himself.
“I’ve resisted taking any outside money, so it’s 100% self-funded so that way if I do find the right partner, I don’t have to bring somebody else along and convince them that it’s good idea,” he said. “And then secondarily, I resisted taking sea level deals just to sort of puff my chest and say, ‘See I’m with Bob’s BBQ Network.’ You know what I mean?”
The Smashing Pumpkins lead man would continue on to say that finding a television broadcast partner is the obvious next step. He added that with the expansion of digital sports media, his plat in the market doesn't look so crazy.
“We’ve been with YouTube, then we were behind the paywall with Fight Network. We still work with Fight on the pay-per-view side, but we’ve seen certainly even in the last five years, the incredible expanse of digital sports media. We have this impending deal coming or it’s already done with the AEW and of course WWE with Endeavor. So suddenly, my play in the market doesn’t look so crazy. So we just continue to position ourselves for the right broadcast partner," Corgan said.
As for how he has chosen to invest his money in the company, Corgan states that more times than not he is choosing to spend on talent over production.
“The public has shown over the last number of years that they love the production element of, I guess bringing the rock concert to the wrestling arena,” he said. “I’m all for it. I mean, I love that. And it’s difficult for me because I’ve had to make financial choices for the NWA. Do I want to invest in talent, or do I want to invest in production? And nine times out of 10, I’ve chosen to invest in talent because I think it’s more important to build a wrestling culture that has strength within it because production is always the easiest part of that equation.
He would conclude by saying that not everyone fully understands what he's done with the NWA, reiterating that the goal is to compete at the highest levels and build something that will stand the test of time.
“I feel like I’m still earning my stripe in this business,” he said. “Yeah, I’m on a list, but I think at the end of the day, I want people to look at my time with the NWA as valuable. I certainly deserve credit for bringing it back, and I certainly deserve credit for putting respect back on the name of the NWA. What remains to be told is whether I can take it to that other level of success.”
Up next for the NWA is the Crockett Cup, which will take place over two night on June 3 and 4. Fans can check out the current lineup for Crockett Cup by clicking here.
