TNA signs with United Talent Agency (UTA)

If you follow the Rumor Roundup (and you should), you know that today's post was filled with "TNA IN TROUBLE" headlines and notes on why that may be. One of the biggest issues within the company right now, beyond top talent continually ending up left looking for work elsewhere, is the lack of a renewal with Spike TV on a television deal.

And with WWE about to announce its television partner here soon, nerves are severely frayed.

That's why this news of TNA signing with United Talent Agency (UTA) to represent the company in TV, licensing, and touring deals is most interesting indeed. Here's the press release:

BEVERLY HILLS, CA (April 24, 2014) --- TNA Entertainment, the Nashville-based sports entertainment company known for the global pro wrestling program, IMPACT Wrestling, has signed with UTA, it was announced jointly today by Dixie Carter, President of TNA Entertainment, and UTA.

TNA Entertainment's IMPACT Wrestling, one of Spike TV's top-rated shows, averaging 1.4 million viewers each week, is broadcast in 120 countries worldwide. Additionally, TNA Entertainment produces more than 100 live IMPACT Wrestling events each year as well as monthly PPV events with such internationally beloved professional wrestling stars as Jeff Hardy, Bobby Roode, Kurt Angle, Eric Young, Magnus, James Storm, MVP, Gail Kim and the lovely and lethal Knockouts.

UTA will represent the 12-year-old company to extend its television broadcast reach as well as to expand its licensing programs and slate of live event programming. TNA will also leverage UTA's expertise in digital and social media to build monetization strategies for its digital media operations. TNA launched a cross-platform programming effort, #IMPACT 365, in October 2013 to provide viewers with ongoing storyline and original content 24/7 on its website and across YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and other platforms.

"UTA's diverse range of capabilities make them an ideal partner to help TNA add tremendous visibility and value to the global IMPACT Wrestling brand," said Dixie Carter. "We are confident that by working with the UTA team, we will not only expand our wrestling business in exciting ways, but we will also build new entertainment ventures and properties."

The current deal with Spike TV expires in October, which is the same month WWE programming would move to its new home if the decision has been made to part ways with NBCUniversal.

Stay tuned.