Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Brandon Thurston @brandonthurston.bsky.social · 11h

The full language of AEW's suggested arbitration clause.

It included a carve out acknowledging the EFAA.

At least some talent contracts also contain arbitration clauses is below.

But there are narrow circumstances in which Texas government entities can agree to arbitration.

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Brandon Thurston @brandonthurston.bsky.social · 11h

AEW also wanted arbitration and confidentiality clauses with city-owned Esports Stadium to "not to publish or disclose attendance figures, turnstile counts, drop counts, ticket numbers, revenues, box office receipts." wrestlenomics.com/articles/202...

AEW All In Texas attendance and public funding detailed in government records | Exclusive - Wrestlenomics

Overestimated attendance will result in lower funding but AEW will still get hundreds of thousands in reimbursements.

wrestlenomics.com

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Reposted by Brandon Thurston

Wrestlenomics @wrestlenomics.com · 16h

AEW All In Texas attendance and public funding detailed in government records | Exclusive

Overestimated attendance will result in lower funding but AEW will still get hundreds of thousands in reimbursements.

AEW All In Texas attendance and public funding detailed in government records | Exclusive - Wrestlenomics

Overestimated attendance will result in lower funding but AEW will still get hundreds of thousands in reimbursements.

wrestlenomics.com

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Reposted by Brandon Thurston

Wrestlenomics @wrestlenomics.com · 1d

TKO CEO Ari Emanuel, Stephanie McMahon among upcoming depositions in WWE shareholder lawsuit

Emanuel will be questioned under oath in December. Stephanie and Brad Blum will also be deposed in the shareholder lawsuit.

TKO CEO Ari Emanuel, Stephanie McMahon among upcoming depositions in WWE shareholder lawsuit - Wrestlenomics

Emanuel, who made the deal with Vince McMahon to form TKO, will be questioned under oath in December. Stephanie and Brad Blum will also be deposed in the shareholder lawsuit.

wrestlenomics.com

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Brandon Thurston @brandonthurston.bsky.social · 2d

A great discussion with Douglas Pucci of Programming Insider on the impact Nielsen’s new methodology is having on TV ratings and wrestling in particular.

Wrestlenomics @wrestlenomics.com · 2d

Nielsen’s Big Data Shake-Up: WWE & AEW Viewership Takes a Hit | Pollock & Thurston

Nielsen’s Big Data Shake-Up: WWE & AEW Viewership Takes a Hit | Pollock & Thurston - Wrestlenomics

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston are joined by Douglas Pucci of Programming Insider to discuss Nielsen’s new method of tracking viewership and the negative impact it has shown for professional wrestling programs.

wrestlenomics.com

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Reposted by Brandon Thurston

Wrestlenomics @wrestlenomics.com · 2d

AEW's HBO Max simulcasts are not counted in Nielsen TV ratings, even under the new methodology, WBD says

AEW's HBO Max simulcasts are not counted in Nielsen TV ratings, even under the new methodology, WBD says - Wrestlenomics

Nielsen's new Big Data + Panel system is measuring lower TV ratings for wrestling programs, but Warner Bros. Discovery says AEW's live streams on HBO Max still aren't counted in those measurements.

wrestlenomics.com

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Reposted by Brandon Thurston

Wrestlenomics @wrestlenomics.com · 6d

Nielsen has changed how TV ratings are measured. Here's what it means for wrestling programs.

The era of Big Data + Panel is upon us. Some shows might measure generally lower (or higher), complicating comparisons.

Nielsen has changed how TV ratings are measured. Here's what it means for wrestling programs. - Wrestlenomics

The era of Big Data + Panel is upon us. Some shows might measure generally lower (or higher), complicating comparisons.

wrestlenomics.com

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Reposted by Brandon Thurston

Wrestlenomics @wrestlenomics.com · 9d

John Laurinaitis deposed, Vince McMahon's assistants subpoenaed in shareholder lawsuit

More subpoenas have been filed in the lawsuit that alleges McMahon predetermined the TKO merger process. Liberty Media and KKR will also be deposed.

John Laurinaitis deposed, Vince McMahon's assistants subpoenaed in shareholder lawsuit - Wrestlenomics

More subpoenas have been filed in the lawsuit that alleges McMahon predetermined the TKO merger process. Liberty Media and KKR will also be deposed.

wrestlenomics.com

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Brandon Thurston @brandonthurston.bsky.social · 10d

I.F. Stone

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Brandon Thurston @brandonthurston.bsky.social · 18d

Or travel abroad and watch on Netflix.

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Brandon Thurston @brandonthurston.bsky.social · 18d

Wrestlepalooza should be no added cost today if you're a customer of Spectrum, Hulu + Live TV, Verizon FIOS, Fubo, or a streaming customer of DirecTV.

Otherwise, you'll need to sub for $30. Full access to the new ESPN app might get worked into other providers by next year.

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Brandon Thurston @brandonthurston.bsky.social · 21d

New original reporting:

With WrestleMania set for Riyadh in 2027, it’s early, but signs point to at least some of the usual independent events being uncertain about whether they’ll follow WWE to Saudi Arabia.
www.postwrestling.com/2025/09/17/i...

Independent events uncertain about following WrestleMania to Saudi Arabia

With WrestleMania set for Riyadh in 2027, it’s early, but signs point to at least some of the usual independent events being uncertain about whether they’ll follow WWE to Saudi Arabia.

www.postwrestling.com

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Brandon Thurston @brandonthurston.bsky.social · 22d

Watch WWE Wrestlepalooza this Saturday on the all new enhanced ESPN app (maybe if you have access)

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Brandon Thurston @brandonthurston.bsky.social · 23d

No, they're not going private. Publicly-traded companies that are doing well financially often do stock buybacks. It's a strategy to help drive the share price higher. This was expected.

CaptainGrapeDrink @cgd-2.bsky.social · 23d

So...what exactly does this mean? - They're trying to go private again? - I know nothing about stock (in case that wasn't clear). Lol

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Brandon Thurston @brandonthurston.bsky.social · 23d

TKO press release

TKO Announces $1 Billion in Share Repurchases

09/15/2025

Including $800 Million Accelerated Share Repurchase, Up to $174 Million 10b5-1 Trading Plan, and a $26 Million Privately Negotiated Transaction

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) (“TKO” or the “Company”), a premium sports and entertainment company, today announced that it has entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (the “ASR Agreement”) to repurchase $800 million of its outstanding Class A common stock.

The Company also announced that it has entered into a 10b5-1 trading plan for the repurchase of up to $174 million of its outstanding Class A common stock (the “10b5-1 Plan”). In addition, on September 5, 2025, the Company repurchased approximately $26 million of its outstanding Class A common stock under a privately negotiated transaction. Repurchases under the ASR Agreement, the 10b5-1 Plan, and the privately negotiated transaction are being completed under TKO’s previously announced $2.0 billion share repurchase authorization.

“This plan to repurchase $1 billion in shares reflects our conviction in the business and the intrinsic value of our stock,” said Mark Shapiro, President and COO, TKO. “The repurchases, together with the recent 100% increase to our quarterly cash dividend program, reflect our continued commitment to a robust and sustainable capital return program. We remain focused on executing our balanced capital deployment strategy to deliver long-term value for our shareholders.”

Under the ASR Agreement, on September 16, 2025, the Company will pay $800 million to Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and expects to receive an initial delivery of 3,161,430 shares of Class A common stock...

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Brandon Thurston @brandonthurston.bsky.social · 24d

open.substack.com/pub/brandont...

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Brandon Thurston @brandonthurston.bsky.social · 24d

WNBA attendance data: Most teams' attendances were up despite injuries of star players
open.substack.com/pub/brandont...

WNBA attendance data

Most teams' attendances were up despite injuries of star players

open.substack.com

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Reposted by Brandon Thurston

Wrestlenomics @wrestlenomics.com · 25d

Updates on WWE shareholder lawsuit: Vince McMahon, Nick Khan, Paul Levesque, others to be deposed; Eisold v. Cody trademark case update; various public records issues.

State of the Business: Notes not noted elsewhere, attendance, and TV rankings for the week - Wrestlenomics

Updates on WWE shareholder lawsuit: Vince McMahon, Nick Khan, Paul Levesque, others to be deposed; Eisold v. Cody trademark case update; various public records issues.

wrestlenomics.com

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Brandon Thurston @brandonthurston.bsky.social · 26d

NEW: Please don't politicize WrestleMania.

WWE delivers shareholder value and normalizes an awe-inspiring dictatorship that pays them extremely well—all while entertaining you.

There's nothing political about that. www.postwrestling.com/2025/09/12/o...

Opinion | I hate politics. That’s why I’m going to love WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia.

There's nothing political about WWE’s billion-dollar partnership with a political regime.

www.postwrestling.com

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Brandon Thurston @brandonthurston.bsky.social · Sep 3

NEW: @postwrestling.com spoke with an IATSE Local 8 representative and 2300 Arena’s CEO as the union pushes for a long-term agreement with venue.

Picketing is expected to continue through next week during AEW’s residency in Philadelphia.
www.postwrestling.com/2025/09/03/s...

Stagehand union keeps pressure on 2300 Arena for second week of AEW residency

POST Wrestling spoke with IATSE Local 8 Business Agent Phil Effinger and 2300 Arena CEO Roger Artigiani, as union seeks a long-term agreement.

www.postwrestling.com

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Reposted by Brandon Thurston

Brian Streleckis @btstreleckis.bsky.social · Aug 27

The recorded messages are calling for anyone working here to join the line, but not for anyone attending to boycott AEW. They also reference AEW's earnings and attendance figures, acknowledging the business of All In Texas, but not of the recent TV with low attendance. [2/3]

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Reposted by Brandon Thurston

John Pollock @iamjohnpollock.bsky.social · Aug 27

2300 Arena CEO Roger Artigiani to POST Wrestling:

“Our workers are being paid the fair wage that they claim is not being paid."

Reporting by @brandonthurston.bsky.social & @jackwannan.bsky.social

POST Wrestling @postwrestling.com · Aug 27

Stagehands union protest outside 2300 Arena ahead of AEW residency, venue denies pay claim

www.postwrestling.com/2025/08/27/l...

Stagehands union protest outside 2300 Arena ahead of AEW residency, venue denies pay claim

IATSE Local 8 says stagehands at AEW's 2300 Arena residency are underpaid, while the venue's CEO insists workers are getting fair wages.

www.postwrestling.com

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Brandon Thurston @brandonthurston.bsky.social · Aug 27

NEW: 2300 Arena's CEO asserts to @postwrestling.com that stagehands are being paid to the union standard.

Plus statements from AEW and IATSE's nationwide office. With @jackwannan.bsky.social.
www.postwrestling.com/2025/08/27/l...

Stagehands union protest outside 2300 Arena ahead of AEW residency, venue denies pay claim - POST Wrestling | Podcasts, News, Reviews | WWE AEW NXT NJPW

IATSE Local 8 says stagehands at AEW's 2300 Arena residency are underpaid, while the venue's CEO insists workers are getting fair wages.

www.postwrestling.com

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Brandon Thurston @brandonthurston.bsky.social · Aug 27

In this video from Local 8's Facebook page, they explain 2300 Arena is a non-union venue and AEW is choosing to work with them. AEW will run 7 events there from tonight through Sept 6.

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Brandon Thurston @brandonthurston.bsky.social · Aug 27

IATSE Local 8 is protesting AEW and 2300 Arena's stagehand compensation ahead the series of shows that begin tonight in Philadelphia.

They've also posted videos on their Facebook page outside the venue, using AEW's business talking points against them: facebook.com/IATSELocal8

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