WWE announced their second quarter financials today, and the company announced that live event revenues decreased 34% to $26.4 million from $40.3 million in the prior year quarter primarily due to the timing of WrestleMania, which occurred in the first quarter of 2015 as compared to the second quarter of 2014. Excluding the impact of WrestleMania, Live Event revenues were approximately $25.7 million in the prior year quarter. Removing WrestleMania, things were essentially flat. To break things down…
* There were 86 total events in the current quarter, including 65 events in North America and 21 events in international markets, as compared to 77 total events including 54 North American events and 23 international events in the prior year quarter.
* North American live event revenue decreased 57% to $16.9 million from $29.5 million in the prior year quarter, driven by the timing of WrestleMania. Excluding the impact of this event, revenue from the Company’s North American live events increased 13%, or $2.0 million, reflecting the occurrence of 12 more events than in the prior year quarter and a 5% increase in average ticket prices to $46.45. These factors more than offset a 10% decline in average attendance to 5,400 fans that reflected changes in the mix of venues.
* International live event revenue decreased 12% to $9.5 million from $10.8 million primarily due to the staging of two fewer events in the current year quarter and adverse changes in foreign exchange rates.