WWE CEO Nick Khan appeared on CNBC’s Closing Time on Thursday. One of the questions that Khan was asked is why Stephanie McMahon left WWE and whether she could make a return and be a part of the company’s future and return before or after a sale.
Khan said that Stephanie was taking a leave of absence when he and Vince McMahon called her to request that she return to the company to take over as co-CEO with Khan and interim Chairwoman of the Board when her father Vince McMahon stepped down due to the sexual allegations last summer.
Khan went on to say that Stephanie did “phenomenal work across the board” but that he believes she went back to do whatever she was thinking about doing during the leave of absence and that “she seems to be in a great place.”
On whether Stephanie could return before or after a sale, Khan said that is a question for her [Stephanie] and that WWE would always love to have her as part of the company. Khan then noted that the time would need to be right for her and that he is not sure if she’s there yet.
Other notes from the interview with Khan is as follows:
He could not comment on who is involved in the bidding process to buy the company, but he did there has been “quite the robust response.”
Khan could not confirm the asking price for WWE $9 billion.
It was again reiterated that Vince McMahon made it clear to him and the marketplace that he does not need to be part of WWE with whomever buys the company. He said he is not even sure McMahon wants to be involved if a sale actually takes place.
Regarding the reports on betting on the matches, Khan said the conversations they were having were intended to be private, but “unfortunately, it got out there.” Khan further noted that WWE is looking at the future and see the prospects as similar to other predetermined events where betting is allowed in some states which includes the Grammys and the Oscars. He said they “remain optimistic on the whole proposition.”
Source: F4WOnline