Dealmakers 2024

variety.com:

Through it all, the honorees on Variety’s 2024 Dealmakers report continued to work on behalf of their clients. On the whole, the deals weren’t as plentiful or as rich, but, necessity being the mother of invention, often more innovative.

They approach the coming new year with a mix of optimism and uncertainty, as they navigate the threat and the promise of artificial intelligence — perhaps the most disruptive of technological innovations to date — while cautiously anticipating the incoming administration in Washington, D.C., which is seen as more friendly to corporate mergers and acquisitions, but hostile to Hollywood, in spite of its leader’s past ties to show business. CEO, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) In October, five years to the week after Khan launched professional wrestling promotion AEW as a direct competitor to Vince McMahon’s long-dominant WWE, he closed a multi-year media rights deal with Warner Bros.

Discovery, worth a reported $185 million a year, that calls for AEW’s shows and events to be broadcast on TBS and TNT and stream on Max.

The company is now valued at more than $2 billion, making it the third-most-valuable combat sports company in the world. Ain’t bragging if it’s true: “Our new arrangement signifies that AEW will make history as the first professional wrestling promotion to simulcast events weekly on top cable channels and a top streaming platform,” says Khan. Chris SpicerMarissa Román GriffithAlissa MillerVanessa RomanPartnersAkin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld The Akin team closed more than $3.5 billion in deals in the past year, spanning media, entertainment and sports.