It has previously been circulating in the news that Harvard Business School will be conducting a class that will include a case study on WWE. The course titled, “Business of Entertainment, Media and Sports” will be available to students in the fall.
Thanks to the instructor of the course Professor Anita Elberse, Wrestling Inc. received an advance copy of the course’s case study. In it was whether or not WWE would hire Ronda Rousey and what specifics should be involved in that deal. The case takes place in January 2018.
Based on the case information, Triple H has had his eyes on recruiting Rousey ever since 2014. She attended SummerSlam that year as a fan. Towards the end of 2016 the signing became more of a reality.
“When that second [UFC] loss happened, everything shifted,” Triple H said. “That’s when the question of what was she going to do next moved to the forefront.”
In regards to the structure and deal of a contract for Rousey, he had the following to say:
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up having to promise a downside guarantee that is comparable to the one John Cena has – and he is our highest-paid wrestler,” Triple H professed. “The question is whether we should be prepared to go that high. And if they push for a guarantee that is significantly better than anyone else has ever had, male or female, I wonder whether we should even entertain such an idea.”
Although Triple H and Stephanie McMahon were very adamant in obtaining Rousey, Vince McMahon wasn’t as sold on the idea. Leery on if Rousey could make the transition from UFC to WWE he had the following to say:
“I don’t know if I would have gone after her with the same zeal as my daughter [Stephanie McMahon] and son-in-law [Triple H] are pursuing her,” Vince said.
According to Professor Elberse, the students in this second-year course will be expected to weigh WWE’s opportunity of signing Rousey. They will discuss the particulars of a hypothetical performance contract for Rousey.
Thank you to Wrestling Inc. for this information. You can read more of the case study which also includes who WWE lists as their biggest competitor by clicking here.
What do you think about this case study and the course that is being offered? Express your thoughts on this topic in the comment section!
