Jeff Jarrett says TNA’s first TV deal with Spike TV was worth about $5 million to $7 million before it jumped to $10 million.
On My World with Jeff Jarrett, Jarrett spoke with former WWE co-president George Barrios about how WWE grew its media rights fees. Jarrett said WWE’s move away from Viacom opened the door for TNA.
“It opened the door for us, so we got on Spike TV, and our first deal was, I don’t know, five to 7 million. Then we jumped to 10,” Jarrett said.
Jarrett said TNA also benefited when WWE’s international rights fees went up.
“Every international market that they changed, or even if they didn’t change, TNA is going into the market, and we’re using those guys. Hey, you’re paying them 3x, 5x, 10x. Can’t we get something out of it?”
“It was always knowing that George and Michelle are kind of QBing all these financial successes in TNA, the little engine that could, kind of reap some of those benefits.”
Transcription by Global Force Entertainment.