AEW could be on the verge of signing a new broadcast deal with Warner Bros. Discovery. One of the biggest questions hanging over the alternative wrestling brand this year is that its existing media rights deal with WBD is set to expire this year, with several other factors to consider in new contract negotiations. But a new report from BJ Bethel indicates that the two sides have agreed in principle to a new deal. According to his sources, the new agreement was brokered before the expiration of WBD’s exclusive renegotiation window, which would allow AEW to negotiate with rival media companies. There’s no word on when that deal will be made official.

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Furthermore, Bethel reported that no new AEW shows are expected to appear on the MAX streaming platform until the new deal is in place, at least domestically. Speculation recently ramped up after AEW programming was spotted internationally on MAX, which Bethel noted could be an indication of positive movement but should not be taken on its own as a sign that the new deal is in place. One of the major external factors believed to impact AEW’s deal in any way was WBD’s expiring agreement with the NBA. The basketball league reportedly reached a deal to leave TNT for NBC, ESPN and Amazon, but WBD reportedly has the right to match that offer until July 22. That situation is said to be the overarching reason for the delay in AEW and WBD in inking a deal.

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Speculation had been mounting at the start of this year about how ROH would fit into the new deal between AEW and WBD. Tony Khan had previously said that his existing relationship had prompted him to be cautious when discussing new suitors so as not to rock the boat with his current partner, but recent reports on the matter have failed to mention ROH being involved in the negotiations, nor does it appear that this deal in principle includes the brand Khan is set to take over in 2022.