The Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of WWE, Vince McMahon has landed in fresh controversy as WWE’s board is looking into a secret $3 million payment that the 76-year-old allegedly made to a former female employee.
According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, the board of directors of the Stamford-based company is investigating the substantial payment made to a former female employee from Mr. McMahon’s funds.
There are 12 members on the board. They are looking into the reasons why the aforementioned payment was made by the “Boss” of WWE.
The separation agreement was signed in January. It was meant to prevent the former employee from discussing her relationship with McMahon or making derogatory comments about him, according to the report.
As per an email sent to WWE board members on March 30, the 76-year-old supposedly signed the former employee for a $100,000 salary. Eventually, McMahon doubled her salary after an alleged sexual relationship started between the two of them.
The report also states that the board’s investigation began in April and has uncovered other nondisclosure agreements over the last few years involving claims of misconduct from former employees against McMahon and WWE’s head of talent relations, John Laurinaitis.
The report also goes on to say that the emails were sent by a friend of the employee in question. They also said that the woman, “was so scared so she quit after Vince McMahon and lawyer Jerry [McDevitt] paid her millions of dollars to shut up.”
A WWE spokesperson was quoted as saying that the company is cooperating with the continuing probe.
The same person also mentioned that the relationship between Mr. McMahon and the former employee was consensual.
In a letter to The Wall Street Journal, Mr. McMahon’s attorney, Jerry McDevitt, stated the woman did not make any harassment claims against the 76-year-old. He also claimed that WWE did not make any payment to the ex-employee “on her departure.”
Twitter has been abuzz with wrestling fans expressing their opinions on the issue. We have compiled some of the tweets from fans. Here is how the Twitter world has been reacting since the news broke out:
As you can understand from the tweets above, that fans have contrasting opinions on the incident. We will be keeping an eye on this incident and keep informing you regarding the same. Meanwhile, there is an update on Sasha Banks’ release from WWE. You can check out that news by clicking here.
More WWE news
Follow our dedicated WWE page for instant WWE news and updates.