ESPN Joins WWE As Defendant In Lawsuit Regarding Streaming Deal

A judge has ruled that ESPN can join the class-action lawsuit against WWE, filed after the company moved its premium live events to ESPN Unlimited from Peacock in the United States in September 2025, as a defendant. The original lawsuit was filed by two consumers in January.

Judge Thomas O. Farrish, of the US District Court of Connecticut, approved a motion by ESPN, filed in March, on September 18. ESPN was not initially named as a defendant, and according to Brandon Thurston, that was possibly done to get around the arbitration clause in the subscriber agreement. ESPN asked the court to move the case to arbitration with its original motion.

The judge acknowledged the plaintiffs have control over who they chose to sue, but ESPN also has the right and reason to participate, under the law. The plaintiffs have until October 2 to file an objection.

Following WWE's move to ESPN, two consumers accused the company of "deceptive marketing." They claimed that WWE, at one point citing a statement from Nick Khan, advertised that ESPN customers would receive PLEs, like Wrestlepalooza, at no additional cost. They cited the fact PLEs were available on Peacock at the service's subscription price at no added cost.

The suit says that ESPN also stated at the time, when it expected to sign partnership deals with cable and streaming providers, that ESPN Unlimited would eventually come at no additional cost, as is the case for services like Hulu Live, Spectrum, and more. However, those using a platform without a deal with ESPN must pay an additional $30 for the service.

The class action lawsuit is open to those subscribers who did not receive ESPN Unlimited at no cost between August 6 and September 20, prior to Wrestlepalooza. The lawsuit claims customers being represented could receive reimbursement if the case was decided in favor of the plaintiffs.