December 10, 2009

CableFAX: 40. In-Vince-able: Vince McMahon

Vince McMahon

Title: Chairman, WWE
Age: 64
Education: East Carolina U
Social Media Quotient: 5

Why Him? Behind every great (show)man is, er, no longer a woman. Wife and WWE CEO Linda left the ring this summer to pursue the Republican nod to challenge Sen Chris Dodd (D-CT). Son and EVP Global Media Shane inexplicably departed soon after "to pursue other opportunities in the marketplace," Vince said. While those losses could be large, WWE’s stellar cable ratings continued apace in ’09 (in late Oct USA notched 7 of the top 10 shows, led by WWE’s 3.8 rating), revenue growth for live and TV events rose 13% and the subtle shift of WWE’s product to the mainstream moved ahead.

Proud As A...: Vince got ol’ pal Trump to announce in June on Monday Night RAW that the Donald was buying RAW. NBCU issued a release confirming it. Two days later NBCU apologized for its bogus release, but RAW had its best ratings in 7 years.

The Year Ahead:

If the record $52mln in gross sales for WrestleMania ’09 didn’t prove WWE is recession resistant, would a shot to the solar plexus convince you?