I just spit my drink out? Millions? Hahahahahaha. Being a lawyer doesn't necessarily equate to being wealthy.
The acquisition of wealth via one's profession is usually based on competency. For three decades my business and personal interests were represented by a New York City attorney whom I saw work his way from a desk-front office in an outter borough to a prestigious office in Manhattan's Financial District.
I have also seen a Texas attorney who boasts of his expertise self-restrict his practice to a dilapidated bungalow in a rundown section of a notorious border town; a border town routinely "serenaded" by the din of ICE Agents firing explosive charges to ferret out illegal aliens hiding in the brush as they attempt to sneak across the border.
This alleged "officer of the court" uses his license to perpetrate clear thuggery. He maintains a client base comprised mostly of those with immigration problems; some of whom he victimizes via outrageous legal fees. Fees he collects upfront. Fees he keeps whether he wins or loses his client's cases.
Let's move to the worth of this much-ballyhooed brand. How do you fix a dollar amount?
Going back to the days when wrestlers were under contract it was clear that a worker with proven box office appeal could only be seen on a card promoted under the auspices of the brand he/she was contracted to. Thus, an intrinsic motivation for a promoter to seek membership, license or whatever it took so they could employ said worker and reap the harvest of turnstile revenue.
That is what - - that is all - - this "brand" did for those promoting under its' flag over many generations past. And that, coupled to the legendary Lou Thesz difference in the early 1960's is what led to Vince Senior breaking away and the birth of the WWWF.
Such is not the case vis-a-vis this brand nowadays. It hasn't been for decades and never will again. People choosing to make a living solely via professional wrestling simply cannot survive on what lower echelon (though very competent and skilled) promotions can afford to pay.
How many times does a worker work on a steady basis? Once or twice per week, if that?
Let's say they are paid $300/per card. And let's say they have a wife, child(s), car payment, rent/mortgage, etc. Does that amount of income pay the bills? Does it pay the M.D. bills if they become ill or injured? Does it provide a slush fund for retirement? How much is left after road expenses not paid by the promoter?
So what is this "brand's" worth?
Little if anything.
What was it adjudged to be by successful, major promotions domestically and overseas when the current "steward" attempted to peddle it? The fact that no one "bit" speaks for itself. The fact that no one "bit" can be translated into a recognition that there is no potential.
Let's look at it objectively factoring in some business acumen as if you were about to invest your family's savings account:
Say there are 25 individuals who pay $300 annually. Do the math. Figure the annual income of the "brand."
Who in their right mind would even consider paying millions or even thousands for a "brand" with annual revenue that pathetic? A "brand" with no chattels, contracts with arenas, television, talent. Hell this "brand" doesn't even own a popcorn machine.
Knowing all of this - - and not even considering liabilities, litigation, etc. this "brand" has - - what would you pay???
And if you bought it, what would you do with it? Put it in the attic with age-old baseball cards, copies of Wrestling Revue, Slinkys and Hula Hoops?
Enjoy it for what it is today - - don't sit by the phone in hopes it will morph into what it was many years ago. Remember, I love it, too. But my affection is for what it was when it was grand.
Those days are gone. And they ain't coming back.
Are they???