World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.

2002 News Releases

World Wrestling Entertainment® 2002 International Live Events Increased Revenues by 544%

New Licensing Deals And Sponsorships Move Business Toward Increased Growth in 2003

Dec 18, 2002


STAMFORD, Conn., December 18, 2002 – World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. said today that total international live event revenues for calendar year 2002, comprising ticket, merchandise and sponsorship sales, were approximately $14.1 million compared to approximately $2.2 million in calendar year 2001, an increase of about 544 percent. 

In 2002, more than 225,000 fans attended 15 WWE ® international live events within five tours, as compared to 2 events in 2001. Events were held in England, Scotland, Germany, Finland, Northern Ireland, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia and culminated with a “WWE RAW® Tour of India,” which drew more than 50,000 fans for its sold-out three-city tour of New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. 

For 2003, 27 live events are planned across five continents, including Japan, Australia, Brazil, Chile, England, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa and Thailand. WWE has already sold-out its first international stop of 2003, the three-event “WWE Far East Tour” in January 2003 which will play to more than 30,000 fans in Korea and Japan. 

Event sponsorships, international licensing agreements, home video distribution deals and wireless initiatives are all expected to contribute to significant growth in 2003. WWE has retained licensing and sponsorship agencies in Europe, Asia and Australia to actively assist in securing new consumer product licensees, home video and DVD distributors and live event sponsors. 

”It is the success of our international TV distribution and live event tours that are driving the other elements of our U.S. business model into international markets,” said Roger Marment, WWE’s Executive Vice President of International Business Development. “The foundation that has been laid in 2002 will allow for even greater international growth in 2003.”

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.

##

Media Contact: Gary Davis, Vice President, Corporate Communications, 203-353-5066

Investor Contact: Tom Gibbons, Vice President, Investor Relations, 203-328-2576

Trademarks: The names of all World Wrestling Entertainment televised and live programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans and wrestling moves and all World Wrestling Entertainment logos are trademarks, which are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, food and beverage, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company’s brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated.