TKO Group Executive Defends WWE Ticket Prices

WWE changes look like they’re here to stay.

In recent months, WWE has come in for increasing criticism from fans for its ticket prices for TV tapings and Premium Live Events. Things are so bad that in conversation with a fan, Randy Orton admitted WrestleMania ticket prices were “embarrassing.”

The Viper added that the prices were “so much f*cking money” for a seat.

Despite those comments and the backlash from fans on social media, it doesn’t look like things will be changing anytime soon.

Speaking at the JP Morgan Annual Global Technology, Media, and Communications Conference, TKO Group President Mark Shapiro discussed the major cuts made to WWE’s live event schedule. In doing so, he also referenced ticket prices, which he said have a “tremendous upside.”

“We cut those house shows down to where now we’re doing 200 events a year. We cut them 75%, the number of house shows that we do. We feel that’s a good place to be and we’ll continue to prune as we go through. WWE has tremendous upside on global partnerships. Tremendous upside on ticket pricing. Tremendous upside on site fees, dynamic pricing, yield management.

All areas we’re really focusing and pushing in on as it related to live events. As you saw on our first quarter, our margins significantly expanded as it relates to WWE live events,”

Seth Rollins Worried By Lack Of WWE Dates

While Mark Shapiro thinks WWE’s new schedule has been a huge positive, Seth Rollins views things a little differently.

During an interview ahead of WrestleMania 41, Rollins said he was “concerned” that younger wrestlers wouldn’t be able to build up the required experience with limited live events. The former World Champion explained that there’s no substitute for the learning that takes place in front of a live crowd, no matter how impressive the company’s training facilities may be.

H/t to Fightful