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All Elite Wrestling (AEW) President Tony Khan recently shared his insights on the differences between free agency in professional wrestling and the National Football League (NFL) during an appearance on the Battleground Podcast. Khan, who has extensive experience managing free agency in both the NFL and professional wrestling, highlighted how the dynamics between the two sports vary significantly.
More Options in the NFL Compared to Wrestling
Khan emphasized that the abundance of teams in the NFL creates a vastly different free agency landscape compared to professional wrestling.
“It’s very different, I think,” Khan said. “There are a lot more teams in the NFL. With 32 teams, there are a lot more destinations, and free agency is a little more routine. In pro wrestling, people commit to a wrestling organization, and there aren’t as many different places to go. So, I think it feels even more impactful and important when a wrestler switches organizations because it doesn’t happen as often.”
In the NFL, player movement is more common and expected due to the sheer number of teams. Players often change teams in search of better opportunities, new systems, or improved contracts. Conversely, professional wrestling offers fewer options for top-tier talent, making free agency in the industry a more significant event.
Limited Opportunities for Wrestlers to Earn Big
Khan also pointed out that for wrestlers looking to secure lucrative deals, only a handful of promotions can offer competitive salaries and exposure.
“In football, it’s very common for players to change teams, and there’s so many teams to go to. There’s a huge market,” Khan continued. “In wrestling, there aren’t as many wrestling organizations to go wrestle for, and if you really want to make good money in wrestling, there’s only a couple places to work.”
The limited number of major wrestling promotions capable of offering top-tier contracts magnifies the importance of a wrestler’s decision to switch organizations. Unlike the NFL, where athletes have a variety of teams to negotiate with, wrestlers have far fewer alternatives, increasing the stakes of free agency decisions.
AEW’s Role in Expanding the Wrestling Market
Khan underscored the impact AEW has had in reshaping the wrestling landscape by introducing greater competition and providing wrestlers with more opportunities to thrive financially.
“So, I think AEW is something that’s been very important in the world of wrestling because it’s created a great marketplace and competition,” Khan stated. “But even with AEW in the market, there aren’t that many other places to go and earn a great living in wrestling. Compared to the NFL, where there’s 32 teams. There’s definitely not 32 top wrestling organizations. There’s only a few, and that’s very different.”
Since its inception, AEW has emerged as a major player in the professional wrestling space, offering an alternative for top talent seeking creative freedom and lucrative contracts. However, despite AEW’s growing influence, the number of prominent wrestling organizations remains limited, leaving fewer options for high-profile wrestlers.
