Jim Ross, one of the most iconic voices in professional wrestling and former WWE commentator, recently disclosed that he does not receive any royalties for WWE content available on Peacock, the streaming service that currently hosts a vast portion of WWE’s video library. This revelation adds a new layer to the ongoing discourse about wrestler and talent compensation from streaming revenues in the evolving landscape of sports entertainment.
Jim Ross’s WWE Legacy and Current Status
Jim Ross, known affectionately to fans as “JR,” spent decades calling WWE’s biggest matches and moments before eventually transitioning to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Despite his long association with WWE, Ross clarified that while his commentary is prominently featured in the WWE archives on Peacock, he does not benefit financially from the ongoing streaming of this content.
He stated in a recent interview that the classic matches and promos he narrated for WWE are still generating revenues through Peacock’s streaming, yet he is not paid royalties or residuals from these earnings. This lack of royalties contrasts with how other digital content creators or performers might be compensated and raises questions about legacy talent rights in the wrestling industry[4].
The Streaming Landscape: WWE and Peacock
Peacock became WWE’s primary streaming partner years ago, hosting not only current shows like Raw and SmackDown but also the company’s vast historical video library. Fans subscribing to Peacock gain access to thousands of hours of past programming, including Jim Ross’s commentary on classic matches.
However, the relationship between WWE and Peacock is changing. Starting in 2026, WWE’s premium live events (PLEs), including flagship pay-per-views such as WrestleMania, will transition from Peacock to ESPN’s new streaming platform. This move comes after ESPN secured a lucrative five-year rights deal reportedly worth $325 million annually, surpassing Peacock’s prior offer[1][2][5].
Impact of the WWE-ESPN Deal on Content and Talent
This high-profile deal signals a major shift in WWE’s streaming distribution and may affect how revenues are shared with talent who have legacy content on these platforms. Insider sources have suggested that the ESPN deal is intended to broaden the audience for WWE PLEs by leveraging ESPN’s established sports viewership and cable infrastructure, potentially benefiting WWE’s brand visibility and long-term earnings[2][3].
However, according to a WWE insider familiar with contract discussions, talent royalty arrangements are complex and often vary significantly depending on the era, contract language, and individual negotiations. “Legacy contracts often did not include provisions for digital royalties or streaming residuals,” the source explained. “That’s partly why many former stars, including Jim Ross, don’t see royalties from platforms like Peacock.”
Backstage Reactions and Industry Reflections
Backstage, this revelation has sparked conversations about the recognition and financial rights of past wrestling talent. Some insiders believe it could encourage more transparent and equitable agreements in the future as streaming becomes the dominant distribution method for wrestling content.
A talent relations executive noted, “We’ve seen a lot of growth in wrestling content monetization, but the business side needs to catch up with how we compensate our legends. Streaming royalties are a significant part of revenue, and it’s fair to consider how those earnings can be shared with the performers who made that content valuable.”
Jim Ross’s situation underscores a broader industry issue—how to fairly compensate veteran performers whose work continues to generate income long after their active wrestling days are over. This debate aligns with the general entertainment industry’s struggles over digital rights in the age of streaming.
What This Means for Fans and the Wrestling Community
From a fan perspective, Peacock’s WWE library remains a treasure trove of wrestling history. Despite the premium live events moving to ESPN in 2026, Peacock will continue to host the WWE archive until at least the end of 2025. WWE’s main roster shows, certain NXT events, and the classic content will remain available for now, preserving access to Jim Ross’s iconic commentary for millions of subscribers[2].
Moving forward, the handling of royalties and licensing deals related to these archives might become a hot topic, especially as talents like Ross openly discuss the financial realities behind the streaming deals.
Final Thoughts
Jim Ross’s candid comments about not receiving royalties from WWE content on Peacock highlight the complexities of intellectual property rights and performer compensation in the modern wrestling business. As the streaming landscape evolves and WWE’s content migrates to ESPN, ongoing discussions about fair compensation for past and present talent continue behind the scenes.
An expert close to WWE commented, “The industry is shifting, and voices like JR’s will push for more clarity and fairness in royalties. This could eventually lead to better protections for talent who helped build WWE’s legacy.”
For now, fans can continue enjoying the rich WWE history with JR’s legendary calls on Peacock, while the wrestling world watches closely how WWE’s new partnership with ESPN shapes content distribution and talent relations in the coming years.