• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot
Law

Vince McMahon Settles for $1.7 Million With Federal Investigators in Hush Money Cases

He paid $10.5 million to two women without disclosing to WWE, leading to misreported financial information.

Vince McMahon
Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

The federal Securities and Exchange Commission announced Friday that it settled with WWE cofounder and former CEO Vince McMahon for two charges in his hush money cases.

McMahon signed two settlement agreements on behalf of himself and WWE without disclosing that information to the company, leading to misreported financial information, the SEC found. The 2019 settlement was for $3 million to a former employee to keep her quiet about her relationship with McMahon and any potential claims. The 2022 settlement was for $7.5 million to an independent contractor to not share her allegations against McMahon or any potential claims.

McMahon agreed to the two settlements with the SEC without admitting or denying the agency’s findings. He agreed to cease-and-desist from violating the Securities Exchange Act (again), pay $400,000 as a penalty, and give WWE $1,330,915.90. (That amount is calculated from a section of law known as the “clawback provision” that says CEOs and CFOs have to pay back a certain portion of their bonuses or specific profits if accounting is misreported due to misconduct.)

“The case is closed. Today ends nearly three years of investigation by different governmental agencies,” McMahon said in a statement to Front Office Sports.

“In the end, there was never anything more to this than minor accounting errors with regard to some personal payments that I made several years ago while I was CEO of WWE. I’m thrilled that I can now put all this behind me.”

While McMahon’s legal issues from the settlements may be resolved, he still faces several cases from the alleged conduct that led to the settlements. Janel Grant, the woman who agreed to the 2022 settlement after saying that McMahon sexually assaulted and trafficked her, is suing McMahon and WWE in Connecticut. Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York requested a pause in that lawsuit while they conducted a criminal investigation; the stay was lifted last month.

The SEC found McMahon didn’t tell WWE’s board, legal department, accountants, financial reporting personnel, or auditor about the settlements with the women. “Doing so circumvented WWE’s system of internal accounting controls and caused material misstatements in WWE’s 2018 and 2021 financial statements,” the SEC said. The company overstated its net income by about 8% for 2018 and about 1.7% for 2021, according to the SEC. The SEC found McMahon signed letters to WWE’s auditor that left out the hush money settlements. After WWE learned of the situation, it reissued its financial statements in August 2022.

WWE and its parent companies, TKO and Endeavor, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

News that federal investigators and the SEC had launched an investigation into McMahon’s hush money payments first broke in July 2022, leading him to step down from WWE. He rejoined in 2023 to help facilitate the merger with UFC and Endeavor to create TKO Group Holdings.

McMahon resigned as executive chairman of TKO and his spot on the company’s board of directors in January 2024 following a former employee’s filing of a sexual assault and sex trafficking lawsuit against him. (He has been selling off his shares of TKO, but still owned nearly a billion dollars’ worth of stock in the $24 billion company as of November.) Janel Grant said she suffered “physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault and trafficking at WWE” from 2019 to 2022, including from McMahon and former head of talent relations John Laurinaitis, both of whom she says forced themselves upon her. She also says McMahon tried to get her to have sex with a wrestler he wanted to sign to WWE.

“The SEC’s charges prove that the NDA Vince McMahon coerced Ms. Grant into signing violates the law, and therefore her case must be heard in court,” Grant’s attorney Ann Callis said in a statement Friday.

He is also listed as a defendant in another sexual abuse claim filed in October that says McMahon and his wife, Linda, “knowingly allowed” a ring crew chief to hire and abuse underaged boys. That lawsuit is stayed pending a challenge in the Supreme Court of Maryland.

President-elect Donald Trump tapped Linda McMahon—who says she and Vince are separated—to run the Department of Education. She led the Small Business Administration during his first term.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

breaking

Disney Buying NFL Network, NFL Getting 10% Stake in ESPN

The deal rewrites the playbook for pro leagues and their TV partners.

NFL Bans Smelling Salts Over Concussion-Masking Risk

George Kittle broke the news of the ban Tuesday.
Jul 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) and guard DiJonai Carrington (21) during the game between the Dallas Wings and the New York Liberty at College Park Center.

WNBA Trade Deadline Hits Ahead of Looming CBA Chaos

The trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.
Saquon Barkley

Saquon Barkley Rebuffs Trump As Other Athletes Line Up Behind Him

The White House has had a barrage of sports announcements in recent weeks.

Featured Today

Inked Under Anesthesia: Athletes Getting $50,000 Tattoos

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Coco Gauff at New York Liberty
August 2, 2025

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
A general view as athletes compete in the women’s 10,000m final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade de France in Saint-Deanis, France, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024.

Trump Order Leads to Visa Ban for Trans Athletes in Women’s Sports

“Men do not belong in women’s sports,” a USCIS spokesperson said.
Feb 20, 2011; Calgary, AB, Canada; Canadian hockey fans wave a flag and display a banner before the Heritage Classic between the Montreal Canadiens and the Calgary Flames at McMahon Stadium. The Flames beat the Canadiens 4-0
August 1, 2025

Where Does Hockey Go After the Hockey Canada Verdict?

After the sexual assault trial, hockey is split over the path forward.
Josh Donaldson
August 5, 2025

Josh Donaldson Settles With Mold Landlord for $729K

Donaldson vacated the Greenwich, Ct., mansion shortly after moving in.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Troy Taylor
July 31, 2025

Ex-Stanford Coach Troy Taylor Sues ESPN for Defamation

Taylor was fired after a pair of 3–9 seasons.
Gilbert Arenas
July 31, 2025

Gilbert Arenas Charged With Running Illegal Poker Operation With ‘Organized Crime Figure’

The former NBA player allegedly ran a poker club from his house.
Marcus Morris
July 30, 2025

Marcus Morris Denies Fraud, Blames Mixup for $260K Casino Debt Arrest

Morris made roughly $107 million across 13 NBA seasons.
Apr 6, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) dribbles as New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) is screened by Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards (2) during the first half at Madison Square Garden.
July 30, 2025

Tensions Rise After Suns Fire Ex–Security Director

Phoenix faces a slew of lawsuits from former employees.