“I have pledged my full cooperation with the Special Commission’s investigation, and will do everything in my power to support the investigation,” McMahon said in the statement. I also pledged to accept the findings and results of the investigation, whatever they may be.”
The newspaper reported that the investigation began in April and “revealed other, older nondisclosure agreements relating to allegations by former female WWE employees of misconduct by Mr. McMahon”. Other allegations of misconduct have reportedly been found against John Laurinitis, the company’s head of talent relations.
WWE said Friday that it takes “all allegations of misconduct seriously” and has engaged independent legal services to assist in the review. The third party will also “conduct a comprehensive review of the company’s compliance program, human resources function, and general culture.”
The company’s board of directors consists of executives who report to McMahon and even members of the private McMahon family. This includes Stephanie McMahon as well as Paul Levesque, her husband and former stage-name wrestler, Triple H Vince McMahon controlling the majority of the voting power.
The CEO helped turn the company into a media powerhouse, which currently has deals with Fox and NBCUniversal. McMahon also helped create many famous wrestlers, such as The Rock, John Cena, and Stone Cold Steve Austin, who became bigger than WWE itself.
WWE shares are up over 30% year-to-date, which is far from the current bear market.
CNN Business Frank Pallotta contributed to this report.
“Travel junkie. Coffee lover. Incurable social media evangelist. Zombie maven.”
More Stories
Kim Kardashian was booed relentlessly for Tom Brady’s Netflix Roast
Bernard Hill: Titanic and Lord of the Rings actor dies
Madonna’s free concert in Brazil on Copacabana Beach in Rio attracts more than 1.5 million fans