A few days ago, Dave Meltzer let the cat out of the bag that the Carter family were looking to sell TNA and that they had already found an outside party that was interested in buying the company off them.
Meltzer has now provided more details about the potential sale in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The key points were:
- The talks have been going on for months, but are now at a serious stage with a meeting recently being held at TNA's offices with representatives of the investor group.
- It isn't clear whether only a percentage of the company or 100% ownership would be sold, but it is believed that the new group is unlikely to get involved without owning a controlling interest in TNA.
- Also uncertain is who will actually run the company if the sale goes through.
- The speculation of the possible identity of the interested party has been way off, which rules out the obvious suspects like WWE, Eric Bischoff, the Jarretts and Shane McMahon.
- In particular, Viacom doesn't seem to have any interest in buying TNA, despite Impact drawing higher ratings than Bellator, as pro wrestling can't generate the same amount of revenue from corporate sponsorships and advertising sales as mixed martial arts can.
- The people involved are from outside the wrestling business and have been successful in a number of other businesses.
- The fact Hulk Hogan hasn't been re-signed by TNA suggests the new ownership group aren't marks for him and isn't a key to the deal being made, otherwise they'd have made sure to keep him under contract.