WWE’s Premium Live Event schedule may see more flexibility in the coming years, based on recent remarks from ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro. Speaking with The Ringer, Pitaro explained that the company’s new partnership with WWE could allow events to be timed to fit ESPN’s broader content strategy.
The goal for ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer service is to reduce subscriber drop-off. Pitaro suggested WWE events could fill gaps in the sports calendar, keeping high-profile live programming available year-round.
This approach follows the August 6 announcement that ESPN will become the exclusive U.S. home for WWE PLEs starting in 2026.
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Pitaro said WWE leadership has shown a clear willingness to coordinate on scheduling.
“The executives at the WWE have been very clear with us that they’re willing to work with us in terms of scheduling.”
He also pointed to his working relationship with WWE President Nick Khan as a reason such adjustments could happen.
“They’re producing these events, but I would expect that if I were to call Nick Khan and say, ‘hey, can you work with me? We have a particular gap here in our schedule,’ I expect he will.”
Signs of this flexibility may already be emerging. Reports suggest WWE is weighing an unannounced main roster PLE in September that would run opposite AEW All Out—showing the type of calendar adjustments Pitaro described, even before the ESPN deal begins.
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