Vince McMahon

Days after her father, Vince McMahon, ended his retirement and returned as executive chair of the WWE board, Stephanie McMahon has resigned from the company ...

I had the privilege to return as co-CEO and chairwoman of the board of WWE. "About eight months ago, I took a leave of absence and within a few weeks, unexpectedly had the opportunity of a lifetime. Days after her father, Vince McMahon, ended his retirement and returned as executive chair of the WWE board, Stephanie McMahon has resigned from the company.

Vince McMahon said last week that the only way for WWE to fully capitalize on growing demand for content and live entertainment was for him to return as ...

[Vince McMahon returns to WWE after misconduct investigation](https://globalnews.ca/news/9392966/vince-mcmahon-returns-wwe/) [WWE](https://globalnews.ca/tag/wwe) CEO, the entertainment firm added. [Vince McMahon](https://globalnews.ca/tag/vince-mcmahon) as the executive chairman of the board on Tuesday, the company said, adding that co-chief executive officer and chairwoman [Stephanie McMahon](https://globalnews.ca/tag/stephanie-mcmahon) resigned from her role.

In the rvialry between WWE and UFC, Vince McMahon is poised to come out on top as expectations of a sale rise with his return to the company.

Media analysts at LightShed suggested in a 2023 outlook that Amazon may be very interested in adding WWE events to its slate of live programming. Plus, in the stock market, acquisitions tend to come at a 28% premium to a company’s stock price. Whoever the buyer, at the average price premium, Vince McMahon would find his 28.7 million shares worth $3.2 billion, putting his total wealth close to $4 billion, based on data from Forbes. That means any purchase of WWE is going to be result in lots of cash flowing to shareholders’ wallets. Founded in 1993 and not even half the age of WWE, UFC is now about even on two major metrics: social media followers (WWE 60.4 million; UFC 59.5 million) and revenue (for 2021: WWE $974 million; UFC roughly $1 billion*). The reason ties back to a common theme in sports and entertainment these days: WWE’s control of its media rights and intellectual property. [off the mark](https://www.sportico.com/personalities/executives/2023/vince-mcmahon-jumps-back-into-ring-1234700409/). Assuming the same for WWE, a 28% premium would put shares at $113. Endeavor’s heavy debt load—already a weight on the stock—is one reason the chatter that Endeavor wants to buy WWE probably won’t amount to anything. Enterprise value, which is the market cap plus debt, minus cash on hand, is probably a better reflection of a business’ true worth. And in recent years, UFC has seemed to run neck-and-neck with WWE for the title of the world’s favorite ringed event (sorry, Barnum and boxing). McMahon can offer all this in what may well be the golden age of media rights, with bidding sure to be influenced by the needs of traditional broadcasters eager to clutch whatever viewers they can as well as streaming behemoths looking to establish themselves with consumers.

The stock rose as much as 2.5% in early Wednesday trading following a report about the company's alleged pending sale to the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth ...

The long-time WWE CEO and chairman McMahon [resigned](https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2022/06/17/vince-mcmahon-steps-down-as-wwe-ceo-amid-3-million-hush-pact-investigation/?sh=395f42dc278c) from the company in June and [retired](https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/07/22/vince-mcmahon-retires-from-wwe-under-cloud-of-misconduct-probe/?sh=3899789c5253) from the company in July following the revelation of [millions](https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2022/07/25/wwe-discloses-millions-in-vince-mcmahon-expensesbut-companys-stock-still-soars/?sh=5a5ef7f263e1) of dollars in company funds going toward “hush” payments to former employees accusing him of sexual misconduct. McMahon officially [took over](https://corporate.wwe.com/investors/news/press-releases/2023/01-10-2023-235206986) as chairman late Tuesday, while his daughter Stephanie McMahon simultaneously resigned from her role as co-CEO and chairwoman in what the elder McMahon described as a “personal decision.” The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund made waves in American sports in 2022, [dishing out](https://www.forbes.com/sites/justinbirnbaum/2022/08/12/majors-monopolies-megabucks-and-donald-trump-inside-the-business-of-the-new-saudi-golf-league/?sh=18f414073ef5) billions of dollars in its financing of LIV Golf, the controversial PGA Tour competitor that lured top American golfers like Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau with its nine-figure paydays. [Vince McMahon Retires From WWE Under Cloud Of Misconduct Probe](https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/07/22/vince-mcmahon-retires-from-wwe-under-cloud-of-misconduct-probe/?sh=7faf1c4f5253) (Forbes) [Vince McMahon’s WWE Sale Would Body Slam UFC](https://www.sportico.com/personalities/owners/2023/vince-mcmahon-wwe-sale-would-body-slam-ufc-1234700896/) (Sportico) [estimate](https://www.forbes.com/profile/vincent-mcmahon/?sh=7fcfb861b897) McMahon to be worth $2.9 billion, with his fortune up substantially from the $2.3 billion it stood at as of his [June resignation](https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2022/06/17/vince-mcmahon-steps-down-as-wwe-ceo-amid-3-million-hush-pact-investigation/?sh=395f42dc278c). [said](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230106005293/en/WWE-Provides-Update-Regarding-Composition-of-Its-Board-of-Directors-and-Exploration-of-Strategic-Alternatives) last week it planned to “undertake a review of its strategic alternatives with the goal being to maximize value for all WWE shareholders,” indicating it was likely mulling a sale, and CNBC [reported](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/07/who-would-buy-wwe-as-mcmahon-returns-to-board-to-pursue-sale.html) Saturday the firm has retained JPMorgan Chase to advise on such a transaction. [said](https://twitter.com/RichLightShed/status/1613167493580734476) LightShed Partners’ Rich Greenfield on Twitter, while Cannonball Research’s Vasily Karasyov noted in an email the original tweet was deleted and wrote in a recent note that the WWE would need to complete media rights negotiations in order for a sale to “make sense” for any bidder, with its television deal set to expire next year.

The former CEO comes out of retirement after an internal probe into sexual misconduct allegations and hush money draws to a close.

[July 2022:](https://www.wsj.com/articles/wwes-vince-mcmahon-agreed-to-pay-12-million-in-hush-money-to-four-women-11657289742) McMahon is found to have paid four women upwards of $12 million in hush money over the last 16 years to cover up allegations of sexual misconduct and infidelity [December 2022:](https://www.wsj.com/articles/wwes-vince-mcmahon-faces-fresh-demands-from-women-alleging-sexual-abuse-11670945682) McMahon faces fresh legal demands from two women who claim he sexually assaulted them A brief rundown of the change of guards at WWE [Steven Muehlhausen](https://twitter.com/SMuehlhausenJr/status/1613014122517655552) of global sports entertainment platform DAZN, WWE “has been sold to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund,” but the report has yet to be confirmed. [June 2022:](https://www.wsj.com/articles/wwe-board-probes-secret-3-million-hush-pact-by-ceo-vince-mcmahon-sources-say-11655322722) The Wall Street Journal reports WWE is investigating allegations of McMahon paying a former employee he had an affair with $3 million in hush money. [1994:](https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/2022/06/19/vince-mcmahons-biggest-wwe-controversies-from-steroids-case-to-owen-harts-death/) In the US District Court steroid case, McMahon is indicted on illegal promotion and distribution of anabolic steroids to professional wrestlers under his employment. [2006:](https://deadspin.com/witness-vince-mcmahon-stared-down-groping-accuser-for-1822642014) McMahon is accused of groping a tanning salon employee during the Royal Rumble weekend in Boca Raton, Florida, but no charges are filed. 27 email](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1091907/000119312523002760/d447526dex996.htm) to McMahon, the board said it was willing to “welcome” his participation in business decisions, but was resisting his return to the company while government investigations are [still underway](https://www.thesportster.com/vince-mcmahon-wwe-investigated-sec-federal-prosecutors/). Who wins the bid remains to be seen but there is likely one going on—WWE reportedly [hired JPMorgan](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/07/who-would-buy-wwe-as-mcmahon-returns-to-board-to-pursue-sale.html) as an adviser on a potential sale. 6](https://wrestletalk.com/news/vince-mcmahons-letters-to-wwe-board-of-directors-before-returning-revealed/), McMahon made another case for his return, saying the special committee investigation was over, and in less than a week he took back his former role of chair. “WWE is entering a critical juncture in its history with the upcoming media rights negotiations coinciding with increased industry-wide demand for quality content and live events and with more companies seeking to own the intellectual property on their platforms. [Vince McMahon] A non-exhaustive timeline of Vince McMahon’s scandals [1992:](https://www.cbr.com/wwe-former-wrestler-corroborates-assault-claim-female-referee-mid-90s/) Rita Chatterton, the company’s first female referee, accuses McMahon of sexual assault, but prosecutors never filed charges. [Up to $100 creditSamsung Reserve](https://howl.me/ciTugGI5Ez0) [On Jan. He turned it into a hugely lucrative international phenomenon, tacking on more entertainment elements to draw a larger audience.

WWE Inc. chief Vince McMahon—who returned to the company in early January after resigning amid a wave of sexual harassment allegations—is facing investor ...

His daughter, Stephanie McMahon, who resigned as co-CEO and chairwoman Tuesday, is married to another top executive, former WWE champion Paul “Triple H” Levesque. To contact the editors responsible for this story: McMahon](https://www.bloomberglaw.com/public/document/ScottAFellowsvVincentKMcMahonDocketNo20230022DelChJan102023CourtD?doc_id=X67OCN5B0D9MEO593PB4BAUMRB), Del. To contact the reporter on this story: 2023-0022, complaint filed 1/10/23. According to the proposed class action, McMahon timed his return to seize control of upcoming negotiations over the company’s expiring media rights, the “lifeblood” of the business, and forced his way back by leveraging a threat to withhold support for any deal reached without his participation.

Eric Bischoff has explained why he believes that any personal issues are overlooked by Vince McMahon in favour of what's best for business.

Look at Jeff Jarrett, he brought Jeff Jarrett back. It’s probably how he really felt about me, personally.” He brought me back for crying out loud, or brought me in, forget about bringing me back.

Stephanie McMahon has resigned from her roles as Chairwoman and Co-CEO. Nick Khan will serve as WWE CEO. Vince McMahon: “First, I'd like to express my ...

The previous version of the board determined that McMahon coming back would not be in the best interests of the shareholders. “I’m grateful to Vince McMahon and our Board of Directors for their ongoing support. Nick’s business acumen and mastery of the media industry have helped catapult our business to record revenue and profitability.

Stephanie McMahon said her father has come back to the company, months after he retired​​ as CEO and chairman amid a misconduct probe.

"WWE is in such a strong position, that I have decided to return to my leave and take it one step further with my official resignation," she wrote. CBS News reached out to WWE, but did not immediately receive a response back. However, McMahon said she will now be leaving the role.

Stephanie's father, Vince, has now returned as chair - after she became co-CEO and chairwoman in July.

Stephanie has been a part of the company since the 1990s, appearing as an in-ring performer and leading the company in various roles behind the scenes. "Stephanie has always been the ultimate ambassador for our company, and her decades of contributions have left an immeasurable impact on our brand," Vince McMahon said. "I look forward to cheering on WWE from the other side of the business," Stephanie wrote in her resignation statement.

01/04 Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast with Jason Powell (Episode 239): Powell's review of NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 · 12/30 Dot Net Weekly Five-Year Flashback: John ...

Powell’s POV: Fellows is seeking to have the bylaw changes invalidated and a reimbursement for costs and fees. WWE shareholder Scott Fellows has filed a lawsuit against Vince McMahon over the way he returned to the company. [@prowrestlingnet](https://twitter.com/prowrestlingnet))

Here is a breakdown of all the news surrounding WWE and how Vince McMahon's return to the company could mean a major change for the pro wrestling ...

[Bovada](https://www.bovada.lv/sports/entertainment/wwe), which had odds regarding who would buy WWE, is no longer taking bets. [Cassidy Haynes](https://twitter.com/Casshooole/status/1613045348930289671?s=20&t=3y_XFuqM0oMVkWZGJ150ow), if a deal is in place with anyone, WWE must provide notice to shareholders and other parties since it is still a publicly traded company. Since 2018, WWE agreed to a 10-year strategic partnership with the General Sports Authority, producing multiple wrestling events in Saudi Arabia. However, [Ariel Helwani](https://twitter.com/arielhelwani/status/1613173533357625350?s=20&t=QDhJbFEKeq9uJ85rJiMVpA) has stated, per sources, that no deal is in place "at this precise moment" for WWE to be sold to any entity. Front Office Sports [initially reported](https://t.co/jHKLo29KL5) that Saudi Arabia was interested. Later reporting said that McMahon [agreed to pay](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/wwe/news/wwe-vince-mcmahon-reportedly-12-million-hush-pact-16-years/dklp1fm6zhfgpixl6ubbewxy) "more than $12 million over the past 16 years to suppress allegations of sexual misconduct and infidelity." [stepped down as CEO](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/wwe/news/vince-mcmahon-retire-wwe-pro-wrestling-hush-pact/bli9eouvqqvsujfbbp5luvft) of the company but continued to hold creative control of WWE. “The Saudis are already a decent part of the profitability of the company just on those two [Saudi-based WWE] events alone. [Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics](https://twitter.com/BrandonThurston/status/1550582194657165313?s=20&t=OFzMDZ47SZnNsz2P48p18g) later reported that McMahon would no longer be in control of creative after he told everyone he retired. There has been interest to expand its influence to other sports and additional forms of entertainment. McMahon indicated to the company that any potential sale or rights deal would not be facilitated without his involvement, which ultimately led to his return. McMahon recently reinserted himself and former company Presidents Michelle Wilson and George Barrios onto the WWE Board of Directors.

Vince McMahon is back. A sale to Saudi Arabia seems imminent. Here are all your questions about the state of the WWE answered (as best we can).

[antics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdeqB6Rdalc) as the goofy, adopted brother of Samoan family the Bloodline (led by current WWE Champion Roman Reigns) have seen his popularity skyrocket. However, Zayn was [ reportedly](https://cultaholic.com/posts/report-claims-saudi-government-told-wwe-to-remove-sami-zayn-from-super-showdown-due-to-his-ethnicity) barred from performing at all of WWE’s eight Saudi events thus far because of his Syrian ethnicity. [ walking out during live TV](https://www.vulture.com/2022/05/sasha-banks-naomi-wwe-walkout-suspension.html)), but Levesque’s installment brought with it several renewed stories, an increased focus on viral marketing, the re-hiring of numerous wrestlers who’d been let go in recent months, and a general [morale boost](https://411mania.com/wrestling/wwe-backstage-morale-has-reportedly-greatly-improved-under-triple-h-recent-changes/) among talent. No decision seems too ruthless for McMahon, who — in a particularly Logan Roy move — ousted [his own son](https://www.essentiallysports.com/wwe-news-real-reason-wwe-chairman-vince-mcmahon-fired-his-son-shane-mcmahon-randy-orton/) from the company last year over creative disagreements. [recently formed Time Warner Discovery](https://www.vulture.com/article/is-hbo-max-going-away-warner-bros-discovery-streaming.html), which has its own wrestling broadcasting deal with rival company AEW, has been at the center of several streaming controversies (mostly involving [shuttered productions and properties being removed from HBO Max](https://www.vulture.com/article/hbo-max-removing-shows-movies-list.html)). Or, in the words of Succession’s Cousin Greg: “If it is to be said, so it is.” [the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45812399). Meanwhile Disney, which has a [deal](https://www.cagesideseats.com/2022/10/17/23408998/aaas-marvel-lucha-libre-disney-plus-show-trailer-premiere-date) in place with Mexican wrestling promotion AAA (involving the creation of several Marvel-themed wrestlers, and even a Disney+ series), has nabbed an increased market share of global film and television in recent years. [Succession](https://www.vulture.com/tv/succession/). He and wife Stephanie are believed to be well-liked backstage, and the latter’s departure already [ appears to have](https://wrestletalk.com/news/wwe-morale-stephanie-mcmahon-resignation/) caused unhappiness behind the scenes. Others, however, [ report](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10061294-report-wwe-doesnt-have-deal-to-sell-to-saudi-arabias-public-investment-fund) that WWE is still exploring its options. After McMahon’s retirement in July, his son-in-law, Paul Levesque — formerly the wrestler Triple H — was promoted to chief content officer and filled in for McMahon on day-to-day creative decisions.

A class action lawsuit has been launched against Vince McMahon. A shareholder is suing McMahon in Delaware, accusing him of wielding his ~81% voting control to ...

[officially returned](https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/09/business/vince-mcmahon-wwe-return/index.html) to WWE as a board member on Jan. [statement](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vince-mcmahon-takes-actions-in-support-of-plan-for-wwe-to-undertake-a-review-of-strategic-alternatives-and-capture-unique-opportunity-to-maximize-long-term-value-for-all-shareholders-301715016.html) released on Jan. He also elected former co-presidents Michelle Wilson and George Barrios, who [left the company](https://corporate.wwe.com/investors/news/press-releases/2020/01-30-2020-213333313) in January 2020, to the board. A class action lawsuit has been launched against Vince McMahon.

A shareholder is suing McMahon in Delaware, accusing him of wielding his ~81% voting control to impose his will on $WWE illegally. McMahon's return also comes amid rumors WWE is up for sale. WWE's television contracts with NBCUniversal and Fox are set to expire in October 2024.