Fox Opts For College Sports Over WWE Post-UFC Merger

Fox appears to be choosing live sports over scripted entertainment after ending its five-year, billion-dollar run with the WWE.

In October 2024, WWE’s Friday night showcase “SmackDown” will transition from Fox to USA Network under a reported five-year, $1.4 billion deal with NBCUniversal. Fox had reportedly been paying about $205 million a year for the rights.

The move will leave Fox with a programming void on Friday nights — and college sports could be the network’s top choice to fill those primetime slots.