Forum Views () 
Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
WWE aims for PPV knockout with WrestleMania  
 
 
 
 
 
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
 
 
 
Asia Pacific
World
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WWE aims for PPV knockout with WrestleMania
 
 
  
 
 Reuters - Thursday, March 18
 
 
Send
 
IM Story
 
Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 WWE Hall of Fame Wrestler Ric "Nature Boy" Flair speaks during a press conference for the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania in New York March 31, 2009. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
 
 
 
 
 
 
By Georg Szalai
 
NEW YORK - The Super Bowl is done, the Oscars have been handed out. Now World Wrestling Entertainment is gearing up for its signature event: WrestleMania.
 
It may not be the enormous moneymaker the Super Bowl is, but the annual main event in pro wrestling has brought WWE and its host city good returns in recent years. The granddaddy of wrestling pay-per-view events has created revenue of more than $30 million for WWE in each of the past three years. Total company revenue for 2009 amounted to $475 million.
 
Its 26th edition takes place March 28 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, after a slew of related weekend events.
 
In last year's second quarter, WrestleMania generated about $8.4 million in live-event revenue and $21 million in PPV sales thanks to nearly 1 million buys, which helped lay the groundwork for a WrestleMania revenue contribution of $32.2 million. That compares with the $68 million-$81 million in annual ad revenue recorded for the Academy Awards telecast for the 2007-09 time frame and the $154 million-$213 million annual ad haul during the same three-year period for the Super Bowl, according to Kantar Media.
 
Meanwhile, WrestleMania's bottom-line contribution has fluctuated more, with profits ranging from $7.1 million to more than twice that in recent years. The company succeeded in improving the profit contribution since a weaker 2008 result.
 
"We don't give specific guidance every year, but we have said we weren't happy with the 2008 numbers," WWE chief financial officer George Barrios said.
 
What are his expectations for this year's event? "Most important is that the show is compelling to the audience, and things will be a bit different every year depending where we are, etc.," Barrios said. "But we know it won't be like 2008. We feel pretty good about the numbers.
 
REAPING PROFIT
 
"Overall, WrestleMania is always "the biggest pay-per-view of the year in revenue, and it was by far the most profitable in 2009," he added. And it is typically one of the best-selling PPVs of the year with about 1 million buys around the world.
 
Last year's 975,000 figure was only slightly below the 1 million mark set by the Floyd Mayweather-Juan Manuel Marquez boxing match in the U.S. and behind an Ultimate Fighting Championship event that drew an estimated 1.7 million buys. That typically leaves WWE third behind HBO and the UFC in the annual PPV ranking, according to SNL Kagan.
 
Roth Capital Partners analyst Richard Ingrassia expects better results this year. "WrestleMania XXV was the largest-grossing event in company history, and we expect this year's installment to break that record yet again as indicated by recent strength in PPV buys and some recovery in consumer spending," he said.
 
The showcase doesn't have the same economic impact on a region as the Super Bowl, but it does stimulate commerce and tax revenue in host cities to the tune of tens of millions, according to Enigma Research, which has measured the impact of WrestleMania for WWE in recent years. The regional gains in the $50 million range in the past couple of years compare to studies that estimate the Super Bowl's economic impact in the hundreds of millions, depending on location and what is calculated.
 
Houston hosted WrestleMania last year and the Super Bowl in 2004. Despite a recession, WrestleMania XXV at Reliant Stadium created $49.8 million in direct, indirect and induced economic stimulus, according to Enigma. About 600 full-time jobs for the area were created, and local and regional authorities raked in $5.7 million in tax revenue.
 
Super Bowl XXXVIII brought $300 million-plus to Houston and surrounding areas, the city noted when it announced that it would bid to host the NFL title game in 2012. In 2008, the WWE hired former Central Florida Sports Commission president John Saboor as senior vice president special events to oversee longer-term planning of WrestleMania. Cities have been bidding for the big show in recent years, which has made the process competitive and added a focus on financial impact. Atlanta has won the race for WrestleMania next year, beating out Toronto, Miami and Indianapolis.
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recommend
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Send
 
IM Story
 
Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related Articles
 
 
Universal Studios Singapore courts 8 for lucky launch Reuters -  41 minutes ago
 
Singer's musical journey reshaping Portugal's fado Reuters -  44 minutes ago
 
WWE aims for PPV knockout with WrestleMania Reuters - Thursday, March 18
 
Czech human rights film festival goes East to Bucharest AFP - Thursday, March 18
 
Lido's leggy 'Bluebell Girls' fete leggiest of all AFP - Thursday, March 18
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
News Search
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Top Stories
 
 
 
 
Siemens to revamp IT unit, cut 4,200 jobs
Greek PM warns could resort to IMF
Study shows Aussie dingo may be world's oldest dog
US children get Playboy, not Bugs Bunny in cable mixup
Omega 3 supplement targets bowel cancer risk: study
 
 
 
 More Top Stories »
 
 
 
ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Most Popular
 
 
 
 
Most Viewed
 
Most Recommended
 
 
 
 
US children get Playboy, not Bugs Bunny in cable mixup
 
Omega 3 supplement targets bowel cancer risk: study
 
Population surge outstrips efforts to eradicate slums
 
Caracas weeps for its dead after bloody weekend
 
Study shows Aussie dingo may be world's oldest dog
 
 
 More Most Viewed »
 
 
 
 
 
Chile quake moved Earth's axis, shortened days: scientist
 
Experts confirm asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs
 
'Britain's Fritzl' raped daughters for over 25yrs
 
Researchers back cancer-fighting properties of papaya
 
Common weed-killer chemically castrates frogs: study
 
 
 More Most Recommended »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
 
 
 
 
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
 
 
Stars and latest movies
 
 
Best travel destinations
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
More on Yahoo! News
 
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
 
Also on Yahoo
 
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
 
Site Highlights
 
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
 
 
 
 Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
  
   
 
 
    
   
 
Other News on Thursday, 18 March 2010 Israel dismisses calls for east Jerusalem settlement halt  
Europe shames its major powers over debts  
Documents detail US law enforcement use of social networks  
Cuban police haul protesting Ladies in White away
|  
Iran ready for nuclear fuel exchange inside country  
ETA blamed for French policeman's murder  
Internet piracy taking big toll on jobs  
Israel moves to ease diplomatic dispute with U.S  
Embattled Berlusconi turns on charm ahead of polls  
Yemen Shi'ite rebels free scores of prisoners
|  
Europe hammers deficit bingers  
Ransom paid in Paris for British boy taken in Pakistan: ministry  
Fear of surge in Internet crime ahead of S.Africa World Cup  
Nigeria's acting leader dissolves cabinet
|  
Greece warns it might revive IMF rescue option  
'Allah' Facebook Account Angers Thousands of Muslims  
Airline crew face jail in Dubai over sexy texts  
EU urges Georgia not to aggravate Russia tensions
|  
Hackers attacked Colombian vote count  
Jordin Sparks Announces Spring Tour Dates  
Caracas weeps for its dead after bloody weekend  
EU criticises 'optimistic' national budgets  
Libya welcomes Gaddafi compensation offer by Swiss
|  
E-commerce in protected wildlife booming  
Shares Of Blockbuster Fall On Bankruptcy Worries  
Fire at royal tomb prompts Uganda clash
|  
U.S. Producer Prices Drop In February  
Dixie Chicks Joining The Eagles, Keith Urban On Tour  
Two Key Democrats Announce Support For Healthcare Bill Ahead Of Final Vote  
Somali pirates claim to have hijacked charcoal ship
|  
Fashion Lovers Can Check Out New Lauren Fashion Show Online  
Ludacris Comes Out On Top With "Battle Of The Sexes" On Billboard  
Cosmopolitan Magazine Launches Vietnam Edition  
Authorities Investigate Racist Wal-Mart Announcement  
Japan, detractors trade barbs on eve of tuna debate  
SKorean women caught in abortion limbo  
U.S. insurer targeted HIV patients to drop coverage  
Pakistan court indicts five Americans with terrorism  
U.S. missile strikes kill 9 militants in Pakistan  
China envoy urges Iran to compromise, wary on sanctions  
Cybersecurity bill introduced in Senate
|  
Trial of British teen killed in India delayed  
Sprint expected to unveil HTC WiMax phone at CTIA
|  
Philippines presses Myanmar on Suu Kyi, election  
Sprint to support Google's Nexus One smartphone
|  
US forces suspected in new hit-and-run in Japan  
Internet piracy taking big toll on jobs
|  
Kyrgyz opposition protests rising utility tariffs  
US, India ink deal to tap 'limitless' trade potential  
PayPal plans to double staff in Asia by year's end  
ADB chief sees strong Asian recovery in 2010  
Malaysian broadcaster Astro to go private  
London taxi parts to be made in China  
IMF joins global calls for China to let yuan rise  
Renault Nissan inaugurate first India plant  
Irish party for St. Patrick's Day, at home and abroad  
Watchmakers go back to basics as 'extravagance' ends  
New Russian museum to mark bicentennial of Napoleon's defeat  
New Japan Airlines chief eyes 2010 profitability  
Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp in Venice for film shoot  
Lloyd Webber's Picasso to be sold after Nazi row settled  
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary  
Black Eyed Peas, Shakira to front World Cup concert  
Black Eyed Peas, Shakira to star at World Cup kick-off concert  
Ralph Fiennes makes directorial debut in Serbia  
Glee, CSI among TV shows with a conscience
|  
We're gonna rock around Westminster tonight
|  
U.S. troops leave border to Afghan boss accused of graft
|  
Obama's Jakarta home district sees shift in Islam
|  
Vitamin D Insufficiency Linked To Asthma In African-American Kids  
Clinton in Moscow to push arms treaty, Middle East
|  
Harvard Professor Creates Inhalable Coffee  
North Korea executes official for blunder: report
|  
Man Leaves Five-Week-Old Baby In The Oven Overnight, Blames Marijuana  
Police Arrest Oklahoma Man For Watching Porn In Church, Stealing Laptops  
Kazakhstan flood death toll rises to 40
|  
Man Covered In Blood Walks Into Police Station, Confesses To Stabbing Neighbor  
Assistant Secretary Blake Heads To India, Afghanistan, Pakistan And Belgium  
Avalanche kills eight in Tajikistan
|  
Rihanna Hits #1 On Billboard Hot 100 With "Rude Boy"  
Arizona Sweat Lodge Deaths Deemed Accidental  
Obese Woman Strives To Be Bigger Person...Literally  
 News  
Bolivian Priest Accused Of Molesting Illinois Boy Faints In Court  
HTC says confident can defend against Apple suit
|  
 News  
Microsoft MSN China top exec to leave
|  
EA to offer complete online Woods game around Masters
|  
Google working with Intel, Sony on TV project: report
|  
New password-stealing virus targets Facebook
|  
FCC plans to announce broadband agenda
|  
 News  
 News  
TheStreet.com says it's being probed by SEC
|  
 News  
 News  
Man Leaves Five-Week-Old Baby In The Oven Overnight, Blames Marijuana  
Police Arrest Oklahoma Man For Watching Porn In Church, Stealing Laptops  
Fox and O'Brien talks still in preliminary stages
|  
Parking Lots With Solar Panel Roofs Charge Electric Bikes  
Lacey Brown out, Urban survives on American Idol
|  
French Satellite Finds Exoplanet The Size Of Jupiter  
Obese Woman Strives To Be Bigger Person...Literally  
WWE aims for PPV knockout with WrestleMania
|  
BART Train Splits In Two  
Bullock cancels trip amid talk of marriage trouble
|  
Thieves Haul Away $75 Million Prescription Drugs From Eli Lilly Warehouse  
 News  
Antonio Banderas named U.N. Goodwill Ambassador
|  
French Railway Operator SNCF Accidentally Posts Disaster Scenario On Website  
Record pot on offer at China's uni-sex Pro-Am
|  
A Minute With: Joan Jett on life as a Runaway
|  
 News  
Former Sunshine star Breslin yearns for horror
|  
 News  
US children get Playboy, not Bugs Bunny in cable mixup  
US says base needed to defend Japan  
 News  
 News  
All Haiti 'orphan' children reunited with parents  
Key Al-Qaeda figure believed killed in Pakistan  
 News  
 News  
US ambassador urges China cooperation on Iran  
Obama's Jakarta home district sees shift in Islam  
Australian Senate rejects Scientology inquiry call  
Australia warns China over Rio Tinto court case  
N.Korea official shot over currency chaos: report  
 News  
 News  
Malaysian golfer gets $13,000 over croc attack  
PayPal ties up with Chinese partner: report  
US-TECH Summary  
HTC says confident can defend against Apple suit  
 News  
Google working with Intel, Sony on TV project: report  
New password-stealing virus targets Facebook  
 News  
TheStreet.com says it's being probed by SEC  
24 hours of video uploaded to YouTube every minute  
 News  
Darfur aid worker freed after 147-day kidnap ordeal  
Greek PM warns could resort to IMF  
Google denied Nexus phone trademark: report  
Microsoft MSN China top exec to leave  
U.S. sanctions Hamas bank, TV station in Gaza
|  
Ashton, in Gaza, condemns violence after fatal rocket  
Iraq election race neck-and-neck: updated results  
Yemen to free rebel prisoners, clashes hit south
|  
Rocket kills 1 in Israel while Ashton in Gaza  
Thai protesters vow prolonged rally to force elections
|  
One killed as Gaza rocket hits Israel: army radio  
Iran bails top reformist, film maker: reports  
Karzai gives more power to Afghan anti-graft body
|  
Authorities Call Off Search For Killer Wolves  
The Arab World Responds to the U.S.-Israel 'Crisis'  
U.S.-funded Detachment 88, elite of Indonesia security
|  
Siemens to revamp IT unit, cut 4,200 jobs  
Girl Critically Injured After Beating At Florida Middle School  
Rocket kills 1 in Israel while EU top diplomat in Gaza
|  
Fifth Official Resigns From NY Gov. Paterson's Administration  
Study shows Aussie dingo may be world's oldest dog  
Pennsylvania Senator Leach (D): No Shackles For Inmates Giving Birth  
Donors plan to put up $3.8 billion for Haiti rebuilding
|  
Prison Sources Say Madoff Beaten By Inmate Over Money Dispute  
Omega 3 supplement targets bowel cancer risk: study  
MySpace User's Data Up For Sale On Web  
Population surge outstrips efforts to eradicate slums  
"Parks And Recreation" Production Date Moving Up For Amy Poehler's Pregnancy  
British Islamist backs al-Qaida on Indonesia visit  
Episcopalians Approve Election Of Second Gay Bishop  
China lashes out at US resolution on Falungong  
Cornell Officials Concerned About Surge In Suicide Rates  
Crowded bus plunges into Nepal river, killing 24  
'Jihad Jane' due in federal court in Philadelphia  
Thai protesters vow prolonged rally to force elections  
China defends itself against Britain rights report  
Calif. considers smoking ban at all state parks  
Report: North Korean executed over currency reform  
Some Fargo residents refuse to move despite floods  
North Korea executes official for blunder  
Myanmar deports jailed Burmese-American activist  
Serbia thanks nations for not recognizing Kosovo  
Kremlin picks site for Russian Silicon Valley
|  
Cybersecurity needs global rules: British lawmakers
|  
IBM Japan to appeal tax assessment  
PayPal to tie up with Chinese partner  
China Mobile says 2009 profit up 2.3 percent  
S.Korean assembly approves renewable energy bill-govt  
Nissan to make electric vehicle in UK  
 News  
 News  
China orders safety checks on Boeing 737s  
Asthma relief in Pakistan salt mine  
WWE aims for PPV knockout with WrestleMania  
Czech human rights film festival goes East to Bucharest  
Lido's leggy 'Bluebell Girls' fete leggiest of all  
Buddhist founder Siddhartha inspires Paris Opera ballet  
Indian cinema looks to up game, hit foreign jackpot  
British youngsters prefer online advice to parents
|  
Lacey Brown out, Urban survives on "American Idol"  
Fox and O'Brien talks still in preliminary stages  
Universal Studios Singapore courts 8 for lucky launch
|  
A Minute With: Joan Jett on life as a "Runaway"  
Singer's musical journey reshaping Portugal's fado
|  
Tourist held by Australian police in tea mix-up  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights