A report suggesting ESPN has already decided against renewing its WWE streaming agreement is being strongly disputed by the network.
Earlier this week, SEScoops reported that ESPN was not expected to renew its multi-billion-dollar deal with WWE when the agreement expires in 2030. The report cited concerns regarding subscriber growth, the current media landscape, and an alleged lack of synergy between the two companies.
However, an ESPN executive has publicly denied those claims.
ESPN Executive Calls Report “Completely False”
Ben Cafardo, ESPN’s head of WWE Premium Live Events and several other major properties, addressed the report on social media and rejected the notion that ESPN has already made a decision about the future of its WWE partnership.
“There is no truth to this.”
Cafardo also criticized the reporting process behind the story.
“They never checked with us before publishing and had they, we would have told them that was completely false.”
The ESPN executive’s comments directly contradict the claims that the network has already determined it will not pursue a new agreement with WWE once the current deal concludes.
SEScoops Stands By Its Reporting
Following Cafardo’s response, SEScoops writer BJ Bethel defended the report and stated that he continues to stand by the story.
Bethel said he attempted to reach ESPN for comment through available company channels before publication and noted that he had previously communicated with Cafardo.
Despite ESPN’s public denial, SEScoops has not retracted the report.
Questions Continue Around ESPN Unlimited
The debate comes amid ongoing discussion surrounding ESPN Unlimited, the streaming platform that became the home of WWE Premium Live Events following the landmark agreement announced in August 2025.
The deal, reportedly worth more than $1 billion, moved WWE’s premium events to ESPN Unlimited beginning with Wrestlepalooza.
Recent reports have focused on subscription numbers for the service, particularly after ESPN announced a price increase earlier this week.
The original SEScoops story suggested concerns over subscriber growth and distribution were contributing factors behind ESPN’s reported dissatisfaction with the partnership.
Similar Rumors Surfaced In 2025
This is not the first time speculation has emerged regarding the WWE-ESPN relationship.
In late 2025, former WWE writer Freddie Prinze Jr. claimed ESPN was experiencing buyer’s remorse over the agreement due to subscriber expectations not being met.
At the time, sources from both WWE and ESPN pushed back on those claims.
No Official Indication Of Trouble
For now, there is no official evidence that ESPN plans to end its relationship with WWE when the current contract expires.
With the partnership only entering its second year of a five-year agreement, both companies continue to work together on WWE Premium Live Events and related programming.
While conflicting reports have created speculation about the future, ESPN’s public position remains clear: reports claiming the network has already decided against renewing the WWE deal are inaccurate.
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