Who Owns Impact Wrestling? – Real Owner of Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling is a professional wrestling promotion that has been entertaining fans for nearly two decades. The company has gone through several ownership changes throughout its history, and its current owner is Anthem Sports & Entertainment.

Anthem Sports & Entertainment is a media company that specializes in sports content. The company was founded in 2010 by Leonard Asper, who is the former CEO of Canwest Global Communications. Anthem Sports & Entertainment’s portfolio includes the Fight Network, which is a 24/7 combat sports channel, as well as the Fantasy Sports Network, which is a channel dedicated to fantasy sports.

In 2017, Anthem Sports & Entertainment acquired the majority stake in Impact Wrestling from its previous owner, Dixie Carter. Carter had been with the company since its inception in 2002 and was its majority owner until the sale to Anthem Sports & Entertainment. Carter remains with Impact Wrestling as a minority shareholder and a member of its board of directors.

Under Anthem Sports & Entertainment’s ownership, Impact Wrestling has undergone significant changes, including a rebranding and a move to a new network. In 2019, Impact Wrestling signed a multi-year deal with AXS TV to become its new broadcast partner. The move to AXS TV has allowed Impact Wrestling to reach a wider audience and expand its fanbase.

Who Owns Impact Wrestling?

As of my knowledge cutoff of September 2021, Anthem Sports & Entertainment is the owner of Impact Wrestling. The media company acquired the majority stake in the wrestling promotion in 2017 from its previous owner, Dixie Carter. Carter remains with the company as a minority shareholder and a member of its board of directors.

The Founding Years of Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling (formerly known as TNA Wrestling) was founded in May 2002 by Jeff Jarrett and his father Jerry Jarrett. Jeff Jarrett had previously worked for the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and he wanted to create a new wrestling promotion that would offer an alternative to the mainstream wrestling companies.

The early years of Impact Wrestling were challenging, as the company struggled to gain a foothold in the wrestling industry. However, they were able to secure a weekly television deal with Fox Sports Net, which gave them a platform to showcase their product to a wider audience. In 2004, they secured a deal with Spike TV (now Paramount Network), which allowed them to reach an even larger audience.

Throughout its early years, Impact Wrestling focused on building a roster of talented wrestlers from around the world. The company also introduced new concepts to the wrestling industry, such as the six-sided ring, which became a signature feature of Impact Wrestling’s events.

In 2006, Impact Wrestling launched its pay-per-view division, which allowed them to compete with the larger wrestling promotions. They also signed several high-profile wrestlers, such as Kurt Angle and Christian Cage, which helped to raise the profile of the company.

Despite facing financial challenges and management changes over the years, Impact Wrestling has remained a staple in the wrestling industry. Today, the company continues to innovate and evolve, offering fans a unique wrestling experience and showcasing some of the most talented wrestlers from around the world.

Dixie Carter Takes Over

In 2002, Dixie Carter, a Nashville-based businesswoman with a background in marketing and advertising, became a minority shareholder of Impact Wrestling. Carter was a longtime fan of professional wrestling and saw an opportunity to help the company grow.

In 2003, Carter became the President of TNA Wrestling and worked closely with Jeff Jarrett to help build the company. She played a key role in securing the company’s first television deals and was instrumental in bringing in high-profile wrestlers such as Sting and Jeff Hardy.

Under Carter’s leadership, Impact Wrestling continued to grow and expand, including launching the X Division, a high-flying and fast-paced style of wrestling that showcased the athleticism of the company’s roster.

In 2012, Carter became the majority owner of Impact Wrestling after purchasing the remaining shares of the company from Jeff Jarrett. She continued to guide the company through various challenges and changes, including the rebranding of the company as Impact Wrestling in 2017.

However, in 2017, after a series of financial and management challenges, Carter sold the majority stake in Impact Wrestling to Anthem Sports & Entertainment. She remained with the company as a minority shareholder and a member of its board of directors.

Despite her departure from the company, Carter’s contributions to the growth and development of Impact Wrestling cannot be overstated. She helped to bring a fresh perspective to the wrestling industry and played a significant role in shaping the company’s identity and direction.

Impact Ventures Buys Majority Stake

In 2017, Anthem Sports & Entertainment acquired the majority stake in Impact Wrestling from its previous owner, Dixie Carter. The media company had been involved with the wrestling promotion for several years, providing funding and resources to help it grow. The acquisition of the majority stake gave Anthem Sports & Entertainment full control over the company’s operations and allowed them to guide its future development.

Under Anthem Sports & Entertainment’s ownership, Impact Wrestling has undergone significant changes, including a rebranding and a move to a new network. In 2019, Impact Wrestling signed a multi-year deal with AXS TV to become its new broadcast partner. The move to AXS TV has allowed Impact Wrestling to reach a wider audience and expand its fanbase. Impact Wrestling has continued to thrive under Anthem Sports & Entertainment’s ownership, with a focus on showcasing talented wrestlers from around the world and providing fans with a unique and entertaining wrestling experience.

Ed Nordholm Becomes President

In 2017, following Anthem Sports & Entertainment’s acquisition of the majority stake in Impact Wrestling, Ed Nordholm became the President of the wrestling promotion. Nordholm had been involved with the company for several years, serving as a member of the board of directors and providing funding and resources to help it grow.

As President, Nordholm took on a key leadership role in guiding the future development of Impact Wrestling. He oversaw the company’s day-to-day operations, including its creative direction, talent relations, and business strategies. Nordholm worked closely with the rest of the management team to help grow the company’s brand and expand its reach.

Under Nordholm’s leadership, Impact Wrestling continued to evolve and innovate, with a focus on providing fans with a unique and entertaining wrestling experience. The company signed several high-profile wrestlers, including Austin Aries, Pentagon Jr., and Fenix, and developed new storylines and concepts to keep fans engaged.

Nordholm also played a significant role in securing new broadcast deals for Impact Wrestling, including the company’s move to AXS TV in 2019. The move to AXS TV allowed Impact Wrestling to reach a wider audience and expand its fanbase.

Today, Nordholm continues to serve as the President of Impact Wrestling and remains committed to growing the company and providing fans with the best possible wrestling experience.

Impact Wrestling’s Future

In recent years, Impact Wrestling has focused on building a diverse roster of talented wrestlers from around the world, with a mix of established veterans and up-and-coming stars. The company has also been working to expand its global reach, with partnerships with promotions in other countries and the launch of a streaming service, Impact Plus.

In terms of television broadcast, Impact Wrestling has a multi-year deal with AXS TV, which has given the company a wider platform to reach fans. The company also continues to produce pay-per-view events and other live events throughout the year, both in the United States and internationally.

Looking ahead, Impact Wrestling will likely continue to focus on innovation and creativity, offering fans new and exciting concepts and storylines. The company will also likely continue to expand its reach globally and build relationships with other wrestling promotions around the world.

Anthem Sports & Entertainment Acquires Majority Stake

In 2017, Anthem Sports & Entertainment acquired the majority stake in Impact Wrestling, taking full control over the company’s operations and guiding its future development. This move marked a significant shift in ownership for the wrestling promotion and set the stage for future growth and innovation.

Under Anthem Sports & Entertainment’s ownership, Impact Wrestling has continued to evolve and innovate, with a focus on showcasing talented wrestlers from around the world and providing fans with a unique and entertaining wrestling experience. The company has also secured new broadcast deals, including a partnership with AXS TV, which has allowed it to reach a wider audience and expand its fanbase.

Anthem Sports & Entertainment is a media company that specializes in sports content, including broadcasting and production. In addition to Impact Wrestling, the company also owns and operates Fight Network, a combat sports-focused television channel, and GameTV, a Canadian television channel that features game shows and other interactive programming.

Overall, Anthem Sports & Entertainment’s acquisition of the majority stake in Impact Wrestling has been a major factor in the company’s recent success and growth, and it is likely to continue to play a key role in the company’s future development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

In conclusion, Impact Wrestling has undergone several ownership changes throughout its history, with various individuals and companies playing a key role in guiding the company’s development and growth. From its early days as TNA Wrestling, the company has evolved and adapted to changing industry trends and fan expectations, and has remained a prominent player in the world of professional wrestling.

Today, Anthem Sports & Entertainment owns and operates Impact Wrestling, and the company’s President, Ed Nordholm, is leading the charge in terms of guiding its future development. Under Anthem’s ownership, Impact Wrestling has continued to innovate and expand its reach, with a focus on providing fans with a unique and entertaining wrestling experience.

Looking ahead, Impact Wrestling’s future looks promising, and fans can expect the company to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of professional wrestling. With a diverse and talented roster of wrestlers, a growing fanbase, and a commitment to innovation and creativity, Impact Wrestling is poised to remain a prominent force in the industry for years to come.