The judge has made a decision ESPN may join a class action lawsuit against WWEsubmitted by the company moved its premium live events to ESPN Unlimited From Peacock in the US in September 2025 as a defendant. It The original lawsuit was filed in January by two consumers.
US District Court Judge Thomas O. Farish, granted ESPN’s motionpresented in March, September 18. ESPN was not originally named as a defendant, and by Brandon Thurstonthis may have been done to circumvent the arbitration clause in the subscription agreement. ESPN asked the court to move the case to arbitration in its original motion.
The judge acknowledged that the plaintiffs have control over who they choose to sue, but that ESPN has the right and the right to participate under the law. The plaintiffs have until October 2 to file an objection.
After WWE’s move to ESPN, two consumers accused the company of “deceptive marketing.” They claimed that WWE, at one point citing a statement from Nick Khan, advertised that ESPN subscribers would get PLEs like Wrestlepalooza at no extra cost. They cited the fact that PLEs were available on Peacock for the price of a subscription to the service at no additional cost.
The lawsuit says ESPN also indicated when it expected to strike partnership deals with cable and streaming providers that ESPN Unlimited would eventually come at no extra cost, as it does with services like Hulu Live, Spectrum and others. However, those using the platform without a deal with ESPN must pay an additional $30 for the service.
The class action lawsuit is open to subscribers who didn’t get free ESPN Unlimited between Aug. 6 and Sept. 20 through Wrestlepalooza. The suit claims that the represented customers could receive compensation if the case is ruled in favor of the plaintiffs.
