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What's the story?
PWInsider is reporting on some very interesting comments that Colin Cowherd and Jason Whitlock made on the FOX Sports One show Speak For Yourself on Wednesday. Their comments led you to believe that the WWE is going to head to FOX once their deal with NBC Universal and the USA Network is done.
In case you didn't know
Sportskeeda reported on rumors from January that FOX may purchase the WWE from Vince McMahon and move all programming to their family of networks. At the time of that rumor, it appeared the deal was going to hinge on if the UFC renews their contract with FOX.
The heart of the matter
During the end of Speak For Yourself on Wednesday, Cowherd and Whitlock mentioned how they attended the SmackDown Live event this week in Los Angeles, California. Cowherd has previously trashed pro wrestling, but on yesterday's show, he praised the WWE for being a well-run organization and that the event was fun to attend.
Whitlock stated he was a professional wrestling fan when he was a kid and would like to get more involved with it. Cowherd's response to that was rather interesting as he stated that Whitlock should get more involved and then said, "coming to a network near you."
While Vince appears not to be ready to sell the WWE just yet, they are in negotiations for a new television deal. Mike Johnson of PWInsider reported that several FOX executives were also at SmackDown Live this week.
What's next
The television contract with NBC Universal and the WWE runs out in September of 2019. Stay tuned to Sportskeeda for any further information regarding whether the WWE programming will have a new home next year or not.
Author's take
While what Cowherd said and the fact that FOX executives were at the SmackDown Live event this week is interesting, it doesn't mean this is a done deal. The executives were there to witness the product first-hand; while Cowherd and Whitlock are most likely trying to sweeten the pot by talking about it.
Regardless of what FOX offers, NBC Universal has more than enough firepower to counter. It's going to be an interesting few months to see where the WWE goes next.
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One of Samoa Joe's colleagues had harsh words for him HERE
