Celebrity Jobber Podcast with Jeff Zito – Tony Khan
Release Date: October 1, 2025
Guest: Tony Khan (Owner/President of AEW, part-owner Jacksonville Jaguars & Fulham FC)
Host: Jeff Zito
Episode Theme & Purpose
This episode explores Tony Khan’s journey from his upbringing in Champaign, Illinois, through his lifelong passion for professional wrestling, to his role as a sports executive and billionaire. The conversation revolves around the show's central question: what was his first job, and what paths might his life have taken without the big break? The episode provides an in-depth look at Tony Khan’s early inspirations, first jobs, family influences, and the creation and growth of All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Tony Khan’s Childhood & Introduction to Wrestling
-
Growing Up in Champaign, Illinois
- Born and raised in a college town, home to the University of Illinois.
- Early memories of going to Illini football and basketball games, sparking a lifelong love of sports.
- First exposure to wrestling:
“I saw the Ultimate Warrior versus the Undertaker. My dad was not a wrestling fan… It was really very cool with him to take time out of his schedule to take me to wrestling.” (02:36–03:40)
- Early dream: Inspired to “start a pro wrestling promotion… dreamed up in Champaign, Illinois.”
-
Wrestling Origins & Favorites
- Began watching in 1990 after seeing Sgt. Slaughter on GI Joe and Hulk Hogan on The A-Team.
- “It wasn’t any one wrestler or part of it… it was the whole thing. I got very excited about it and I started reading and watching as much wrestling as I could.” (04:49–05:16)
- Became a student of wrestling history, studying classic wrestlers and matches.
- Major influences and all-time favorites: Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat, Steve Austin, Sting.
“I think [Steve Austin] is the greatest wrestler of all time.” (06:13)
- Pride in working with his childhood idols, notably Sting’s AEW retirement run.
The Genesis of AEW
- Early Vision and Learning
- By age 8 or 9, dreamed about being a wrestling promoter.
“I wanted to start a wrestling league and I didn’t have all the ideas… but I first thought of wanting to be a wrestling promoter long before I really understood the ins and outs.” (08:01–08:36)
- At 12, discovered insider wrestling terminology searching “Is Wrestling real?” and the RSPW FAQ.
- Started writing “Saturday Night Dynamite” at age 12, which would evolve into AEW’s “Dynamite” over 30 years later.
- “To be honest, I look back at them sometimes… and I’m pretty impressed. I think there’s some good stuff in there to this day.” (11:08)
- By age 8 or 9, dreamed about being a wrestling promoter.
First Jobs & Work Ethic
-
First Non-paying Job
- Assistant basketball coach and stats keeper in high school; coached his friends when coach was ill.
- The “Tony Khan Award” for basketball dedication was named after him after his graduation. (12:09–12:59)
-
First Paying Jobs
- Bartender in college:
“I was a bartender in college and it was a great gig and I really enjoyed it.” (13:33)
- Engineering company intern during the day; bartender at night.
- Bartender in college:
Path to Sports & Wrestling Executive
-
No Typical Workday
- Describes the unpredictable pace of his multiple roles:
“There is a cadence that comes with a game day or AEW show day… it really depends on what is happening that day.” (14:23)
- Describes the unpredictable pace of his multiple roles:
-
AEW’s Breakout & Growth
- Big break was the launch and immediate sellout of AEW’s first pay-per-view in Las Vegas.
-
“The fans embraced it and then it really went to the next level… when we started doing Dynamite… AEW has been running strong ever since.” (15:19–16:53)
- Hasn’t missed a show week since 2019; displays passion and work ethic.
-
AEW’s Differentiator
“AEW has the best wrestling and we put on the best shows… the quality of the wrestling stands above all else.” (17:11)
- Value of myth-busting misconceptions, preferring to let shows and fans speak for the company.
-
Dealing with Public Perception
- Addresses his “polarizing” reputation:
“I think I am just a genuine person… This year, I’ve just been a lot more laid back about it… the fans do a lot of the talking for me now.” (18:30–18:59)
- Addresses his “polarizing” reputation:
On Not Becoming a Wrestler Himself
- Never aspired to wrestle full-time:
“If it wasn’t being a wrestling promoter, what I really wanted to do was be a manager and talk and take bumps and sell and do stuff like that… I never really saw myself being a wrestler…” (20:11–21:21)
- Debunks online rumors about his height – he’s taller than the internet claims.
Family Influence & Sports Ownership
- Influence on Father Shad Khan
“My dad liked football, but going to the games and taking me… as a father, really embraced sports more than he had before.” (22:34–23:53)
- Believes attending games with his dad led to Shad Khan’s interest in sports ownership.
Building a Legacy
-
AEW’s Challenger Story
- Host Jeff Zito praises AEW’s ability to compete with established wrestling brands and become a household name:
“When there’s a big brand already in place and you come after the big brand and you don’t only chip away at that brand, you make a big brand for yourself.” (24:12)
- Host Jeff Zito praises AEW’s ability to compete with established wrestling brands and become a household name:
-
Leadership at Jacksonville Jaguars
“I’m so grateful for what Liam Cohen is doing at the Jaguars… we have a great group here with the great young GM James Gladstone… and Tony Bacelli, the Hall of Fame legend.” (25:23)
- Expresses appreciation for his football team’s staff and their combined leadership.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Wrestling Inspiration:
“The first main event I ever saw was 1991, summer when I was eight years old. I saw the Ultimate Warrior versus the Undertaker… And that’s where I first dreamed of the idea that became AEW.”
[03:13] – Tony Khan
On Writing Wrestling Shows as a Kid:
“In 1995 when I was 12 years old, I started writing a wrestling show… and I’ve been writing that show now for over 30 years and for over six years it’s actually been on TV.”
[09:37] – Tony Khan
On AEW’s Success:
“The fans embraced it and then it really went to the next level… We haven’t had any time off since Christmas of 2019… I wouldn’t want a week off. I’m very proud that we’ve been going since New Year’s Day 2020, and every single week since then…”
[16:02] – Tony Khan
On AEW’s Strengths:
“AEW has the best wrestling and we put on the best shows… the quality of the wrestling stands above all else.”
[17:11] – Tony Khan
On Family Influence:
“My dad wanted to be in the sports business, and I think because we would talk about it… being a dad and going to all the games really made him want to do it more.”
[22:34 & 23:53] – Tony Khan
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Beginnings in Champaign and first wrestling show: 02:36–03:54
- Wrestling idols & history: 04:49–07:16
- Genesis of AEW & writing wrestling shows as a kid: 08:01–11:08
- First jobs (coaching, bartender, intern): 12:05–13:44
- AEW’s launch and big break: 15:19–16:53
- What sets AEW apart: 17:11–18:17
- Dealing with being ‘polarizing’ and public opinion: 18:30–19:29
- On not wanting to be a wrestler: 20:11–21:41
- Influence on his father’s sports business interests: 22:17–23:53
- Closing thoughts – legacy, overcoming brands: 24:12–26:24
Tone & Language
- Conversational, enthusiastic, candid—Tony exhibits both humility and passion.
- Jeff Zito is lighthearted, curious, and expresses respect and admiration toward his guest.
Takeaways for Listeners
- Tony Khan’s passion for wrestling originated in childhood and was supported, though not necessarily shared, by his father.
- He parlayed that passion into a bona fide wrestling empire despite the existence of massive legacy brands.
- His work ethic was instilled by his father’s immigrant journey and sustained by genuine love for the business.
- AEW’s success is attributed primarily to fan embrace, relentless quality, and a vision that began as a kid’s dream.
- Tony’s first “real” job was a college bartender, but his volunteering and initiative (e.g., coaching basketball) shaped the drive that defines his career.
- The Khan family's sports legacy owes much to shared experiences between father and son, not just financial means.
- Ultimately, Tony Khan is portrayed as someone who leveraged opportunity and a unique upbringing, but who is also relentless in pursuing his own brand of excellence in wrestling, football, and beyond.
End of Summary
