Toronto-based Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp. has officially acquired a majority interest in TNA Impact Wrestling.

Anthem, which also operates Fight Network -- Impact Wrestling’s exclusive broadcaster in Canada – has formed Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions LLC to operate the wrestling franchise, according to company officials. 

Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp. executive vice president Ed Nordholm will serve as president of Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions LLC. Dixie Carter, chairman of Impact Ventures -- the parent company of TNA Impact Wrestling -- will resign her position and join the Advisory Board of Fight Media Group, focusing on the global growth of the Anthem’s combat sports brands.

The announcement follows Anthem's having settled a financial dispute between TNA Impact and William “Billy” Corgan over financial loans Corgan made to Impact Ventures.

“We are thrilled to have acquired TNA IMPACT Wrestling,” said Nordholm in a statement. “As we grow Anthem’s linear, digital and mobile platforms globally, top tier content with global appeal is key to that success and this acquisition is a perfect strategic addition to our portfolio. IMPACT has been a dominant wrestling brand around the world for more than a decade and we are confident that Anthem can leverage its assets and strategic partnerships to take IMPACT Wrestling to even greater heights.”

Carter, who will remain a minority equity shareholder, added: “We have worked hard to find the right company who would acquire TNA, use its strategic influence and have a long-term commitment to the brand. TNA’s incredible fans, talent and staff deserved to see the brand continue to thrive after 15+ years of incredible growth.  I’m excited to move to a new position and work with Anthem on their global strategic plan, and I am confident TNA IMPACT Wrestling is going to be a huge part of their success.”

Toronto-based Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp. and William “Billy” Corgan said they completed an agreement to resolve Corgan’s litigation against Impact Ventures, parent company of TNA Impact Wrestling. Anthem acquired Corgan’s loan to Impact Ventures on undisclosed terms, and Corgan has dismissed his proceedings against Impact Ventures and TNA Impact Wrestling, the principals said in a release.

Anthem Sports & Entertainment operates Fight Network, Impact Wrestling’s exclusive broadcaster in Canada, and is the worldwide digital streaming partner for all TNA programming and owns equity in Impact Ventures. Pop airs Impact Wrestling fare in the United States.

Anthem executive vice president Ed Nordholm said in the release: “We are pleased to conclude these arrangements with Mr. Corgan. The events leading to litigation were unfortunate but also reflected all parties’ desire in good faith to support the company. The arrangements we have made with Mr. Corgan respect all parties’ gratitude for his contributions to Impact Wrestling, both creatively and financially. We can now close this chapter and look forward to making Impact Wrestling a leader in the professional wrestling world.”

Corgan -- the Smashing Pumpkins frontman and wrestling fan who has actively stated his views on the implosion of his relationship with Impact on Twitter -- said in the release: "I'm pleased that an agreement is now in place that allows wrestling operations to continue, for my interest from the start was to provide support, be it material or creative, to such a great roster and crew. And as I plan on continuing in the business side of pro wrestling, I look forward to seeing where Anthem's leadership takes the company in 2017, and wish them the best."

Following up on an earlier offer, Anthem Sports & Entertainment said it's provided a credit facility to fund the operations of TNA Impact Wrestling and that Anthem, which also owns equity in the wrestling outfit, will manage TNA's operations, including pay-per-view events and Impact Wrestling shows that air on Pop.

The move follows recent legal challenges between TNA (for Total Nonstop Action) parent Impact Ventures and Billy Corgan, who is the frontman of The Smashing Pumpkins and erstwhile backer and president of TNA. "Billy Corgan is no longer with the company," Anthem and Impact said in a release today. Corgan, though, said in a series of tweets that he had not been paid what TNA "swore to in front of a judge" and that he is exploring all legal remedies, including "converting to 36 pct. equity." Fight Network (which Anthem owns) replied on Twitter, in part, that "(t)here is a solid financial plan for @IMPACTWRESTLING & Mr. Corgan's loan will be dealt with appropriately." 

Anthem EVP Ed Nordholm will join the Impact Ventures board of managers, and the board will manage the company, Anthem said. Dixie Carter stays on as company chair and is on the board of managers.

“We have had a successful, long-term partnership with Fight Network as our Canadian broadcaster, and more recently as our global digital partner,” Carter said in a release. “Anthem’s team has extensive media experience, and I am excited to have that available to us as we plan for the future.” Anthem is the parent of Fight Network.

Anthem CEO Leonard Asper said in the release: “We have consistently maintained that investing in content as we grow our distribution is important as a strategic necessity, and working more closely with a strong brand like TNA is in line with that. This financing is an extension of the support we have been providing since the beginning of the year. There are tremendous opportunities to support the company’s growth on all platforms and in all media along side Dixie and the incredible talent and staff at TNA.”

Pop, owned by CBS and Lionsgate, airs Impact Wrestling on Thursday nights year round and has continued to do so through the recent offscreen turmoil involving Carter and Corgan. Pop president Brad Schwartz told Multichannel News in a statement, "Pop remains committed to Impact Wresting and its amazing team and athletes. The show continues to be one of Pop’s most watched original programs with continued quarter over quarter ratings growth. We look forward to what lies ahead.”

Anthem Sports & Entertainment said today (Oct. 19) it confirmed recently making a "working capital loan" to fund the operations of TNA Impact Wrestling, the financially troubled wrestling organization, and that it had offered to provide money to repay loans made to TNA by The Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan.

Corgan, a huge wrestling fan, was named president of Impact Ventures in August, overseeing day to day operations of TNA, as Rolling Stone reported. Since then, Corgan has sued the TNA organization and principals, including chairman Dixie Carter, according to several reports (including this one), and a hearing has reportedly been scheduled for tomorrow (Oct. 20) on Corgan's receipt of a restraining order and temporary injunction.

Toronto-based Anthem Sports & Entertainment said it licenses TNA programming for Fight Network in the United States, Canada and other international markets and has exclusive streaming rights of TNA shows for streaming Internet-delivered TV. TNA Impact Wrestling airs Thursday nights on Pop in a deal the network announced in November 2015. TNA programming previously aired on Destination America and Spike.

“TNA is a strong property for Fight Network and as a licensee and global distribution partner we have a keen interest in seeing the company not only survive but continue to grow and thrive, alongside our own growth,” Leonard Asper, CEO of Anthem, said in the statement. “We are hopeful that the company can soon get back to doing what it does best, which is to produce great wrestling content.”