National Wrestling Hall of Fame

What National Wrestling Hall of Fame does

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1976 and headquartered at 405 West Hall of Fame Avenue in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Its mission is to preserve wrestling history, recognize extraordinary achievement, and inspire greatness. The core physical assets are two museums: the main National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, OK (featuring the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors, the Paul K. Scott Museum of History, the Cliff Keen Theater, and the William S. Hein Library) and the Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa (featuring the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa, the Greco-Roman Hall of Champions, the Tragos/Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the Dan Gable Learning Center). Both museums deploy interactive exhibits and electronic kiosks with NCAA Championship match footage from the 1930s to present, and house the world's largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia.

Beyond physical museums, the organization operates a State Chapter program spanning 37 U.S. states that has honored over 4,150 wrestlers, coaches, officials, and contributors since 1994, and runs an annual Honors Weekend induction ceremony at the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts. Products include the Champions Database, diversity-themed exhibits (African-American Wrestling Timeline, Latino American Wrestling Experience, Women In Wrestling), and an e-commerce shop on Shopify and eBay.

Revenue is generated through four streams: donations and endowment contributions (including the Power Beyond Campaign with $5.3M pledged by Q2 2026 toward a $10M goal by 2035); museum admissions and merchandise; annual event revenue from Honors Weekend and state banquets; and corporate sponsorships from wrestling equipment companies (Rudis, Cliff Keen, Resilite), governing bodies (USA Wrestling, United World Wrestling, NWCA), and local partners (Chickasaw Nation, Visit Stillwater, SingleSpeed Brewing). Marketing is delivered through the nwhof.org website, Constant Contact newsletter, social media (Facebook, Instagram, X), a Rokfin video channel, and event marketing. The organization is governed by a Board of Governors and led by Executive Director Lee Roy Smith (with Operations Manager Jack Carnefix), with a staff of 1-10.

Name

National Wrestling Hall of Fame

Legal name

National Wrestling Hall of Fame

Website

https://nwhof.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1976 that operates two physical museums (Stillwater, OK and Waterloo, IA), a 37-state chapter program, and an annual induction ceremony, serving the U.S. wrestling community and museum visitors with preservation, recognition, and educational programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Heritage Museum

NAICS

Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Museums (e.g., Maritime, Aviation, Sports, Music, Film) (THAJADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA), Professional Wrestling Promotions (MPAKAHAC)

Keywords

• Wrestling hall of fame
• Sports heritage museum
• Athlete recognition awards
• Wrestling history exhibits
• Hall of fame inductions

Headquarters

HQ city

Waterloo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Endowment Contributions: The organization receives charitable donations through its Power Beyond Endowment Campaign, with donors able to give via credit/debit card, pledge forms, donor-advised funds, qualified charitable distributions, stock donations, and planned giving (bequests, trusts, insurance policies, retirement accounts). The endowment has grown from $400,000 in 2007 to $5.3 million pledged/gifted by Q2 2026.
2. Museum Admissions and Merchandise: Revenue generated from visitors to the museum in Stillwater, Oklahoma and the Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, as well as the Shopify and eBay online stores selling wrestling memorabilia and merchandise.
3. Event Revenue: Annual Honors Weekend events including Induction Ceremonies and Honoree Reflection Programs generate revenue through ticket sales and sponsorships.

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame operates a heritage museum in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and the Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, preserving and exhibiting the history of American wrestling. It administers a formal Hall of Fame induction program that honors distinguished wrestlers, coaches, and contributors to the sport, alongside related recognition awards such as the Distinguished Service Award and Outstanding American awards.

Product overview

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame operates as a unified portfolio of museum and educational offerings centered on preserving wrestling history. The core consists of two physical locations: the main National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, OK, and the Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, complemented by 37 State Chapters across the nation. The organization offers interactive exhibits, electronic kiosks with historic NCAA Championship footage, a Champions Database, and the Power Beyond Endowment Campaign for financial sustainability. Annual Honors Weekend ceremonies induct Distinguished Members, Outstanding Americans, Medal of Courage, Order of Merit, and Meritorious Official honorees. An online shop via Shopify and eBay extends merchandise reach. Educational programming includes exhibits on diversity in wrestling (African-American, Latino, Women In Wrestling) and accessibility (Sport For All).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors: Hall within the museum where greatest names in wrestling are recognized with iconic granite plaques presented to Distinguished Members
• Power Beyond
• Honors Weekend
• Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award
• Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 4,150 individuals honored through State Chapter programs since 1994
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• USA WrestlingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSA Wrestling is the national governing body for wrestling in the United States. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame works closely with USA Wrestling on honors programs, event coverage, and promoting the sport at all levels. Multiple Hall of Fame honorees and staff have USA Wrestling backgrounds.
• United World WrestlingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational wrestling federation. The Hall of Fame recognizes UWW Hall of Fame inductees and maintains connections with international wrestling history and achievements.
• National Wrestling Coaches AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting wrestling coaches at all levels. The Hall of Fame recognizes coaching excellence and partners on events and initiatives.
• Chickasaw NationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNative American tribe and Hall of Fame sponsor. The Chickasaw Nation supports cultural preservation efforts that align with the Hall of Fame's mission of preserving wrestling heritage.
• Blue Star MuseumsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram offering free admission to military families. Partnership provides access benefits for museum visitors who are active duty military and their families.
• Museums For AllminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInitiative supporting reduced-cost admission for income-eligible visitors. Partnership expands access to the Hall of Fame museum for families with EBT cards.
• Oklahoma Historical SocietymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState historical organization. The Hall of Fame partners on preserving Oklahoma's wrestling history and maintaining archives at its Stillwater location.
• Visit StillwaterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal tourism organization promoting the Stillwater area. Partnership supports awareness and visitor traffic to the Hall of Fame museum.
• RudismajorGTM or Marketing PartnerWrestling equipment manufacturer and sponsor. Rudis supports the Hall of Fame and its mission while maintaining visibility among the wrestling community.
• Cliff KeenmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerWrestling equipment company and sponsor. Named after Hall of Fame inductee Clifford Keen, the company supports wrestling at all levels including the Hall of Fame.
• ResilitemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerWrestling mats and equipment manufacturer and sponsor. Supports Hall of Fame events and initiatives.
• SingleSpeed Brewing CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal brewery and sponsor supporting the Hall of Fame and Waterloo community initiatives.
• Yellowblue LEDminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLED lighting company and sponsor supporting the Hall of Fame.
• OnCue ExpressminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConvenience store chain and sponsor supporting the Hall of Fame.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Pro Football Hall of Fame: Sports hall of fame and museum in Canton, OH that honors professional football players, coaches, and contributors. Highly comparable business model — nonprofit museum with inductee recognition, exhibits, endowment, and educational programming serving a single sport community.
• World Golf Hall of Fame: St. Augustine, FL-based single-sport hall of fame operated in partnership with PGA Tour. Comparable structure as a sport-specific heritage institution with museum operations, inductee recognition, and partnership-driven programming.
• National Baseball Hall of Fame: America's most prominent sports hall of fame and museum located in Cooperstown, NY. Directly comparable as a single-sport hall of fame that preserves athletic history, inducts members, operates a museum with artifacts, and runs educational programs — though at substantially larger scale.
• The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Cleveland, OH-based music heritage museum and hall of fame. Comparable as a nonprofit cultural institution with inductee recognition, the world's largest collection of artifacts in its category, and corporate sponsorship-supported operations.
• U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum: Colorado Springs, CO museum honoring U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Comparable as a multi-sport heritage museum with interactive exhibits, electronic kiosks, and a mission of preserving athletic achievement — though broader in scope than wrestling-specific.
• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Basketball-focused hall of fame and museum in Springfield, MA operating a nonprofit single-sport museum with inductee ceremonies, historic archives, and interactive exhibits. Direct structural analog to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's business and operating model.

Direct peers

• International Swimming Hall of Fame: Single-sport hall of fame and aquatic museum in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Closely comparable as a niche-sport heritage institution that preserves artifacts, recognizes athletes, and operates an interactive exhibit-based museum with international governing-body connections.
• International Motorsports Hall of Fame: Lincoln, AL motorsports heritage museum and hall of fame. Directly comparable as a small-market specialty sports hall of fame with inductee ceremonies, artifact collections, and educational programming serving a passionate but niche community.
• National Sprint Car Hall of Fame: Specialty motorsport hall of fame and museum in Knoxville, IA. Comparable as a small-scale, single-discipline sports hall of fame with a museum location in a smaller city, induction ceremonies, and a focused donor base within the sprint car community.

Others

• National Wrestling Coaches Association: National governing organization for wrestling coaches in the U.S. A key strategic partner of the NWHOF and comparable as an adjacent institution that supports the same wrestling community through recognition programs, events, and educational initiatives.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nwhof
• Facebookfacebook.com/nwhof

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Wrestling Hall of Fame