Leap Academy Podcast Summary: Tony Khan on Building AEW into a Billion-Dollar Brand

Podcast Information:

• Title: Leap Academy with Ilana Golan
• Host: Ilana Golan
• Description: The Leap Academy Podcast with Ilana Golan delves into honest and inspiring conversations about leaping to bigger things, crafting amazing careers, and designing the life you desire. Ilana engages with influential leaders, experts, and thinkers to uncover the untold truths, emotions, and lessons that have enabled them to reinvent themselves and achieve remarkable success.

Episode Details:

• Episode: Tony Khan: Building AEW into a Billion-Dollar Brand and Competing with Wrestling Giants | E106
• Release Date: May 20, 2025

Introduction

Ilana Golan opens the episode with enthusiasm, setting the stage for an insightful conversation with Tony Khan, the founder and CEO of All Elite Wrestling (AEW). She emphasizes her mission to help millions elevate their careers and craft the life they desire, positioning the podcast as a map to success shown through the experiences of industry leaders like Khan.

Tony Khan's Early Passion for Sports and Wrestling

[00:36 - 04:10]
Tony Khan shares his lifelong passion for sports and wrestling, influenced by his childhood exposure to exciting television shows and wrestlers like Sergeant Slaughter from GI Joe and Hulk Hogan from The A-Team. Growing up in Champaign, Illinois, with a strong sports culture, his love extended to various sports, including football and basketball, reflecting the community's enthusiasm for Illinois teams and the NFL.

"Pro wrestling... has no off-season. It's new wrestling every week. And that really is... you're hooked on that."
– Tony Khan [05:28]

Influence of Family and Educational Choices

[04:10 - 09:08]
Tony discusses the impact of his father, a successful businessman and NFL team owner, who instilled in him the values of hard work and ambition. Despite his father's demanding schedule, Tony felt motivated to achieve significance in his own right. Initially enrolled in engineering at the University of Illinois, he transitioned to finance, finding a passion for business analytics over the rigors of engineering.

"I had some pressure from my parents to do something of significance in their eyes."
– Tony Khan [06:53]

Career Beginnings in Sports Analytics

[09:24 - 16:30]
After graduating in 2007, Tony began working on sports statistics, initially focusing on the St. Louis Rams as his father attempted to acquire the team. His dedication led to a pivotal role with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012, where he established the organization's first sports analytics department. By leveraging data-driven strategies, Tony significantly enhanced the team's performance, collaborating with top vendors and eventually acquiring True Media Networks to expand his influence in sports analytics.

"AEW is a challenger brand competing in an industry where the industry leader historically has been the most adept company at crippling and smashing their competitors."
– Tony Khan [00:50]

Founding All Elite Wrestling (AEW)

[19:17 - 29:31]
Tony recounts the genesis of AEW during a pivotal moment in 2018 when media rights fees for wrestling shows surged, presenting an opportunity to launch a new wrestling promotion. Inspired by conversations with Kevin Riley, President of TBS and TNT, he envisioned creating a second wrestling league that could compete with WWE's dominance. Despite skepticism, Tony secured investment from his father and assembled a roster of talented wrestlers, leading to the launch of AEW in 2019. The promotion quickly gained momentum, expanding its reach to over 150 countries by 2025.

"When you have a setback, reset your clock."
– Tony Khan [00:36]

Overcoming Challenges: COVID-19 Pandemic

[30:30 - 36:54]
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for AEW, forcing the cancellation of live events and prompting Tony to pivot to a new format. Drawing inspiration from shows like David Letterman's stripped-down versions during crises, Tony transformed AEW's broadcasts by incorporating in-ring reactions from wrestlers and crew, maintaining engagement without live audiences. This period, often referred to by fans as a "golden era," allowed AEW to innovate and strengthen its brand, emerging from lockdown stronger and more resilient.

"We never stopped. We never took a week off, ran every week through the pandemic, and we never put a rerun on."
– Tony Khan [34:30]

Strategic Acquisitions and Expansion

[36:54 - 39:37]
In 2020, Tony acquired Ring of Honor (ROH), a respected wrestling promotion with a rich history, further solidifying AEW's presence in the industry. This acquisition allowed AEW to leverage ROH's legacy and expand its content library on streaming platforms like MAX, enhancing the overall entertainment offering and providing fans with a broader range of wrestling content.

Personal Challenges and Coping Mechanisms

[39:11 - 44:14]
Tony opens up about the personal toll of losing beloved wrestlers such as Mr. Brodie Lee and Jay Briscoe. These losses underscore the emotional challenges of running a wrestling promotion and the responsibility AEW holds in honoring their legacies. Despite these hardships, Tony emphasizes the importance of resilience and maintaining a positive outlook in the face of adversity.

"These are very upsetting things... there's a lot of different takeaways, but, I mean, a lot of bad things."
– Tony Khan [41:52]

Insights on Entrepreneurship and Building Credibility

[44:14 - 50:29]
Tony shares valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of building credibility by finding ways to fit into the industry’s needs. He advises leveraging opportunities, making oneself indispensable, and capitalizing on openings to get a foot in the door. Emphasizing hard work and passion, Tony explains how his love for wrestling fuels his relentless commitment to AEW's success.

"If you can find a need or a role that you can fill to somebody of great importance, then that is the best way to get your foot in the door in any industry."
– Tony Khan [45:48]

Advice for Aspiring Leaders

Tony reflects on his journey, noting that while his path benefited from fortunate circumstances, the key to his success lies in maximizing opportunities and demonstrating unwavering commitment. He encourages listeners to seize openings, work diligently, and stay true to their passions, acknowledging that while his advice is tailored to his unique situation, the underlying principles of hard work and adaptability are universally applicable.

"Make the most of the opportunities you're given."
– Tony Khan [48:00]

Closing Thoughts

Ilana Golan wraps up the conversation by commending Tony's achievements and the transformative impact AEW has had on the wrestling industry. Tony expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share his story, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and innovation in overcoming challenges.

"I really enjoyed spending time. You're such a great interviewer and not only inquisitive, but made me feel very at home here."
– Tony Khan [50:15]

Key Takeaways:

• Passion-Driven Success: Tony’s lifelong passion for sports and wrestling was the foundation for his entrepreneurial journey.
• Data-Driven Leadership: Implementing sports analytics transformed the Jacksonville Jaguars and later influenced AEW’s strategic decisions.
• Resilience in Adversity: The COVID-19 pandemic tested AEW’s adaptability, leading to innovative solutions that strengthened the brand.
• Strategic Growth: Acquiring Ring of Honor expanded AEW’s content and solidified its market position.
• Personal Integrity: Navigating personal losses highlighted the emotional challenges of leadership and the importance of honoring legacies.
• Entrepreneurial Insights: Building credibility, seizing opportunities, and maintaining relentless dedication are crucial for entrepreneurial success.

Notable Quotes:

• "When you have a setback, reset your clock."
  – Tony Khan [00:36]

• "If you can find a need or a role that you can fill to somebody of great importance, then that is the best way to get your foot in the door in any industry."
  – Tony Khan [45:48]

• "Make the most of the opportunities you're given."
  – Tony Khan [48:00]

Conclusion

This episode provides a comprehensive look into Tony Khan's journey of building AEW into a formidable force in the wrestling industry. From his early passion and strategic use of analytics to overcoming unprecedented challenges and making significant acquisitions, Tony’s story is a testament to vision, resilience, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs can draw valuable lessons from his experiences, particularly the importance of leveraging opportunities, building credibility, and staying passionate about one's endeavors.

For those seeking to leap their careers and craft the life they desire, Tony Khan's story serves as both inspiration and a practical guide on navigating the complexities of building a successful brand in a competitive industry.