TNA

TNA Could Still Be Sold to WWE

Dave Meltzer says WWE could buy TNA, but likely would not pay major money.

TNA Could Still Be Sold to WWE
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Talk of a possible TNA sale to WWE has picked back up backstage, especially after the recent wave of internal changes made by Anthem Sports & Entertainment.

In recent days, TNA confirmed a “workforce reduction” that led to the departures of Tommy Dreamer and Tessa Blanchard. Sami Callihan also left the company, adding even more fuel to rumors of a possible restructuring ahead of a sale.

According to Blake Avignon, Len Asper has set $30 million as the minimum price for any potential TNA deal, with a preference for something in the $40 million to $50 million range. That valuation would be driven mainly by the new television deal with AMC, but Anthem’s debt would also be part of the equation.

On a new edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer commented on the situation and said WWE could buy TNA if it really wanted to, but he does not expect the company to pay a high price.

“TNA’s lost a lot of money, and I guess the Aspers, they want a way to sell it and make their money back. That’s basically it.”

Meltzer also compared the situation to WWE’s recent purchase of AAA, which was done in partnership with the Mexican company Fillip.

“WWE can get it anytime they want it, but I don’t know. WWE, they usually don’t spend a lot of money to buy companies. They spent nothing to buy WCW. AAA, the company in Mexico, Filip, that company there spent most of the money and WWE just kind of… they’re gonna get it, but they didn’t spend as much as people think to get AAA.”

Meltzer also noted that WWE would have the right of first refusal in any potential deal involving TNA.

“They can get TNA, but I don’t expect them to pay big money to get TNA. I’m not sure exactly the way that contract works out. I don’t know if they could sell to someone other than WWE. WWE certainly would have the right of first refusal on a deal, so there’s a lot of interesting things going around.”

At this point, there is no indication that a sale is imminent. Still, with the WWE-TNA partnership still active and the AMC deal factoring into the company’s valuation, the situation will continue to be watched closely.