Wrestling news outlet SEScoops has retracted its story reporting that ESPN would not be renewing its contract with WWE when the current agreement between the two companies expires in 2030.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore a story like this runs, the subject deserves a direct chance to respond, and that step wasn\u2019t taken to the appropriate standard,\u201d SEScoops said in a statement<\/a> posted to social media. \u201cSince publication, it\u2019s come to light that this effort fell way short. We ran it and the buck stops with us.\u201d<\/p>\n SEScoops added that it had \u201cparted ways\u201d with BJ Bethel, who wrote the report.<\/p>\n Statement on our WWE\u2013ESPN report<\/p>\n Yesterday we published a report from BJ Bethel on WWE\u2019s relationship with ESPN. We are retracting that story in its entirety.<\/p>\n Before a story like this runs, the subject deserves a direct chance to respond, and that step wasn\u2019t taken to the\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 SEScoops (@sescoops) August 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n As the statement explains, the issue with Bethel\u2019s report is that he failed to reach out through the proper channels to give ESPN a chance to respond to the story before it was published. After the story was set live, ESPN head of communications Ben Cafardo posted a hard denial of the report<\/a> on social media.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no truth to the report that we have decided not to renew,\u201d he wrote. \u201cThey never checked with us before publishing and had they, we would have told them that was completely false.\u201d<\/p>\n In response, Bethel wrote that he had attempted to contact ESPN via the network\u2019s fan support channel online, and also left a message on the support phone line.<\/p>\n \u201cIn fairness I forgot about previous correspondence with Ben in April and his email or I would have contacted him there,\u201d Bethel wrote. \u201cI\u2019m also standing by my story.\u201d<\/p>\n I tried contacting ESPN through https:\/\/t.co\/yJ5rF6wm1G<\/a> last night. Also left a voice mail on a support phone line. In fairness I forgot about previous correspondence with Ben in April and his email or I would have contacted him there.<\/p>\n I\u2019m also standing by my story. https:\/\/t.co\/xDtHG2am1V<\/a><\/p>\n