Vince McMahon resigned from his positions as TKO Executive Chairman and TKO Board of Directors on Friday amid a lawsuit accusing him of sexual misconduct, ESPN reports.
McMahon announced in a statement that he is stepping down from TKO, the publicly traded company created from last year's merger of UFC and WWE. ESPN. McMahon's decision reportedly came in the wake of a lawsuit filed Thursday by Janelle Grant, a former employee of WWE's legal and talent departments.
According to a report by ESPN, the lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the state of Connecticut, where WWE is based, and McMahon is accused of forcing Grant into a sexual relationship and distributing pornographic images and videos of her. There is. The lawsuit also names WWE and its former head of talent relations and general manager John Laurinaitis as defendants. (Related: Vince McMahon repays millions of dollars to WWE in connection with cheating investigation, SEC filing revealed)
Breaking News: Pro wrestling icon Vince McMahon resigns from WWE after former employee files sexual abuse lawsuit https://t.co/ojg9yloCf2
— Associated Press (@AP) January 27, 2024
Grant claims the abuse and sexual exploitation began in March 2020, and the lawsuit included screenshots of text messages allegedly from McMahon.
“I stand by my previous statements that Mr. Grant's case is riddled with lies…I will vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations,” McMahon said in response to the allegations, according to ESPN. I look forward to clearing my name.”
WWE Chairman Nick Carn reportedly informed staff of McMahon's resignation in a memo and stated that McMahon will no longer have any role with TKO Group Holdings or WWE. The resignation follows McMahon's temporary resignation as CEO of WWE in 2022 amid an investigation into similar allegations., According to ESPN.
The lawsuit also details that Grant signed a non-disclosure agreement related to a $3 million contract from McMahon in 2022, of which only $1 million was paid, according to ESPN. . According to the report, Grant is now seeking to void the NDA and seek unspecified financial damages.
ESPN noted that the lawsuit has far-reaching implications for the wrestling world, as it involves a former UFC heavyweight champion and other notable figures.
