The partnership grows.
WWE announced they and the Saudi General Entertainment Authority have expanded their partnership through 2027 to include a second-annual large scale event.
From WWE:
WWE AND THE SAUDI GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT AUTHORITY EXPAND EVENT PARTNERSHIP
STAMFORD, CONN. and RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA, November 4, 2019 – 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.
WWE has been running events in Saudi Arabia since 2014. As part of a 10-year strategic multiplatform partnership, WWE Greatest Royal Rumble was held in April 2018. WWE has held two major events in Saudi Arabia in both 2018 and 2019. When asked for clarification on the "second annual large scale-event" despite already running two events per year, WWE said to WrestleZone “We have been public in our earnings materials about working on a long-term agreement for a second large-scale event annually; this is that agreement.”
The latest event occurred this past Thursday, Oct. 31 with Crown Jewel.
WWE talent ended up stranded in Saudi Arabia following the event due to reported mechanical issues with the plane. There had been rumors and speculation that Vince McMahon and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman got into a dispute over unpaid money. However, nothing has been confirmed and WWE denied the rumor that the Saudi feed of Crown Jewel was delayed over any monetary dispute.
You can view their full statement on the manner by clicking here.
