WWE issued the following statement today about two of their current, ongoing lawsuits that was included in their 10-K filing:
“On July 26, 2014, the Company received notice of a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, entitled Warren Ganues and Dominic Varriale, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, v. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Vincent K. McMahon and George A. Barrios, alleging violations of federal securities laws based on certain statements relating to the negotiation of WWE’s domestic television license. The complaint seeks certain unspecified damages. A nearly identical lawsuit was filed one month later entitled Curtis Swanson, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, v. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Vincent K. McMahon and George A. Barrios. Both lawsuits are purported securities class actions subject to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”). On September 23-24, five putative plaintiffs filed motions to be appointed lead plaintiff and to consolidate the two cases pursuant to the PSLRA. Following a hearing on October 29, 2014, the Court issued an order dated November 5, 2014 appointing Mohsin Ansari as Lead Plaintiff and consolidating the two actions. On January 5, 2015, the Lead Plaintiff filed an amended complaint. Among other things, the amended complaint adds Stephanie McMahon Levesque and Michelle D. Wilson as named defendants. While these lawsuits are in the early stages, the Company believes the claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself against them.”
“On October 23, 2014, a purported class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, entitled William Albert Haynes III, on behalf of himself and others similarly situated, v. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., and on January 16, 2015 a purported class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, entitled Evan Singleton and Vito LoGrasso, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, v. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., both alleging that the Company ignored, downplayed, and/or failed to disclose the risks associated with traumatic brain injuries suffered by WWE’s performers. These suits both seek unspecified actual, compensatory and punitive damages and injunctive relief, including ordering medical monitoring. The Company believes the claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself against them.”