• Vince McMahon paid $1.7M to the SEC for failing to disclose two settlements, causing WWE to misstate financial records.
  • The settlements—$3M in 2019 and $7.5M in 2021—led to overstated net income.
  • McMahon, who resigned in 2024 amid allegations, called the issue “minor accounting errors.”

Vince McMahon, the former head of WWE, agreed to pay $1.7 million to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for not disclosing two settlement agreements with employees. This penalty comes after revelations of payments related to non-disclosure agreements during his tenure at the company.

Undisclosed Settlements and Financial Impact

According to the SEC, McMahon signed two settlements that were not properly disclosed, leading to misstatements in WWE’s financial records. The first agreement from 2019 involved a $3 million payment to a former employee in exchange for her silence regarding her relationship with McMahon and her release of claims against WWE and McMahon. The second agreement, signed in 2021, required McMahon to pay $7.5 million to a former WWE independent contractor, similarly ensuring her silence about allegations against him.

Because these payments were not reported, WWE overstated its net income by 8% in 2018 and by 1.7% in 2021. The SEC further detailed that McMahon would pay a $400,000 civil penalty on top of reimbursing WWE $1,330,915.90.

McMahon Responds to SEC Settlement

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In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), McMahon emphasized his relief over resolving the matter. He described the investigation, which spanned nearly three years, as overly speculative and misleading. He attributed the issue to “minor accounting errors” involving personal payments made while he was WWE’s CEO.

“Today ends nearly three years of investigation by different governmental agencies,” McMahon said. “I’m thrilled that I can now put all this behind me.”

Resignation and Further Allegations

McMahon’s troubles do not end there. In 2024, he resigned from WWE’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, after being sued by a former employee alleging sexual misconduct. McMahon denied any wrongdoing in this lawsuit. Notably, McMahon is married to Linda McMahon, who served as Small Business Administrator under former President Donald Trump.

The SEC settlement marks another chapter in Vince McMahon’s tumultuous legacy. What do you think about the regulatory and ethical challenges surrounding corporate governance in high-profile companies like WWE? Share your comments below.

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