>>18457700 (OP)
I have a theory that I haven't seen yet. Basically, I think if it's revealed that AEW was exclusively funded by the Khans, it could end the companies ability to get any further broadcast contracts. I know that sounds wild, but stick with me.
AEW isn't publicly traded, but people are acting like it is. Ownership means nothing, dividends mean everything. If someone invests in a company, the point would be to receive dividend payouts from the profits. People wouldn't invest in something that won't make them money. More than that, investors prefer to go in on a business that's 51% funded rather than 49%. The logic is that if someone is already putting money behind it, there's now value in it, and if it's closer to the end than the start it's more likely to pay off. IE: "you need to have money to make money"
And that's why this information will hurt distribution.
If Tony presented AEW as a start-up that had significant funding from an investment firm, that tells WBD that he has skin in the game and legitimacy. He's liable to others to make a successful show and turn a profit. It makes Tony accountable to putting out the best product possible, not morally, but by law as investors are entitled to CEO's behaving in good faith.
The pitch, "I have a billion dollar investment firm I'm accountable to," is a lot sweeter than, "I'm making a TV show for fun and I don't care if it's good,".
What I think happened is that Tony sold AEW distribution based on outside investment that was actually just a shell company to hide his personal wealth. Not only is it borderline fraud but it also changes AEW from a legitimate company to a personal fantasy league IMMEDIATELY.
TLDR; Tony Conman lied to WBD that he has friends
