Take-Two acquires WWE license

Grand Theft Auto publisher picks up World Wrestling Entertainment license from bankrupt publisher THQ.

 

The rumors were right. Bloomberg reports today that Take-Two has agreed to acquire the World Wrestling Entertainment license for video games following THQ's bankruptcy last month.

According to the documents, Take-Two's acquisition of the license will save millions by minimizing impact on WWE and developer Yuke's.

"By working together to transition development of WWE games going forward, the parties have minimized the harm to WWE and Yuke's, which have, in turn, agreed to substantial reductions of their claims" against THQ, lawyers for Take-Two said in court papers.

Without the new agreement, the Take-Two lawyers said WWE and Yuke's claims "would certainly exceed $30 million and might exceed $60 million." Other THQ franchises, like Homefront, Company of Heroes, and Saints Row, were sold during an auction last month.

The new agreement will nullify the previous WWE and Yuke's contracts, allowing the companies to sign new deals with Take-Two. According to the documents, WWE agreed to waive $45 million in pre-bankruptcy claims, as well as royalty advances of around $7.5 million through 2017.

As part of the new deal, THQ will pay WWE $650,000 in royalty payments for games sold while under bankruptcy protection. In addition, THQ will give its 14 percent stake in Yuke's--about 1,552,000 shares worth $4.5 million--back to the developer, as well as a $250,000 royalty payment.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot


"Take-Two acquires WWE license" was posted by Eddie Makuch on Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:54:58 -0800
Filed under: Video Games

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