All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has just announced an exciting collaboration with the NFL, right in time for Super Bowl LX. Tony Khan, the President of AEW and Chief Football Strategy Officer for the Jacksonville Jaguars, has revealed that fans of both pro wrestling and American football are in for a unique treat—custom Lucha Libre masks for all 32 NFL teams. This move brings together Khan’s two passions: professional wrestling and football.
AEW and NFL Team Up for Lucha Libre Mask Collection
In an interview with Compas On The Beat during Super Bowl Radio Row, Tony Khan shared his excitement about this long-awaited partnership. Starting April 23rd, the first night of the NFL Draft, AEW will begin selling official Lucha Libre-style masks representing every NFL team on ShopAEW.com.
Khan said, “I’ve always wanted the NFL and AEW to work together… Whoever your NFL team is, you’ll be able to get an All Elite Wrestling NFL mask for your team.”
This isn’t just a merchandise drop—it’s a major crossover moment between the worlds of wrestling and American football. Fans can now show support for their favourite NFL teams while also repping AEW in style.
What About WWE’s NFL Partnership?
This announcement naturally raises questions about WWE’s ongoing relationship with the NFL. In August 2023, WWE revealed its own partnership with the league, offering team-branded championship title belts for all 32 franchises. But there have been signs of tension.
Interestingly, the Jacksonville Jaguars (owned by the Khan family) were removed from WWE’s promotional materials shortly after the initial announcement. Their team-branded title belt vanished from WWE Shop, sparking rumours that Tony Khan wasn’t comfortable with the Jaguars being linked to WWE—AEW’s biggest rival.
Now, less than three years later, Khan has taken things into his own hands with this AEW-NFL collab, possibly signalling a shift in the league’s merchandising alliances.
Are Both WWE and AEW Working With the NFL?
As of now, WWE Shop still lists several NFL-themed title belts, including those for Super Bowl contenders like the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. Priced at $599.99, these titles remain a premium collector’s item. However, with AEW entering the scene, it’s unclear if the NFL will continue both partnerships or shift its focus entirely.
WWE is known for its exclusive merchandise agreements, so AEW’s deal might mean some changes behind the scenes. Whether this affects WWE’s current NFL merchandise or not, fans now have more ways than ever to support their teams and favourite wrestling promotions.
What This Means for Fans
This collaboration is great news for fans of both AEW and the NFL. It brings a fresh, fun way to support your team, blending the energy of Lucha Libre wrestling with the passion of American football. With the masks launching during the NFL Draft, fans can look forward to a new kind of collectible that’s as bold and colourful as wrestling itself.
If you’re a football fan, a wrestling enthusiast, or both, 2024 is shaping up to be a very interesting year.
