Following a tumultuous couple of months dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, Vince McMahon has been working to balance the ledger by cutting away anyone or anything that’s not cost efficient. In doing so, he’s earned the ire of fans and now at least one former employee. Oliver Luck, former XFL commissioner, is suing Vince McMahon for wrongful termination.
So far, Vince McMahon has taken an incredible amount of heat for firing people during the pandemic. While it can be considered good business, the fact he released roughly 40% of his WWE employees last week (April 15, 2020) when other promotions had continued to pay their talent for shows that were cancelled only added more to fuel to the fire. The week before, McMahon had fired his XFL employees and declared bankruptcy for the fledgling league.
XFL was a success
The XFL was doing well and had far surpassed its predecessor in quality. It had everyone, especially former NFL players, praising its innovations for players’ safety and fans were enjoying the gameplay and transparency with the replay officials. Then things went off the rails with the coronavirus pandemic.
Like the other sports leagues that suspended or canceled their seasons, the XFL followed suit, canceling the remainder of their season.
This was the right thing to do, but what followed wasn’t expected as McMahon then laid off the league’s employees, declared bankruptcy, and put the XFL up for sale.
During the conference call where McMahon made the announcement about firing, it was reported that most of the people interviewed that they didn’t feel the league would be back in 2021, and if it was it’d be without Commissioner Oliver Luck.
Divorce is never easy
Luck, former NFL quarterback and father of former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Ander Luck, has countered by suing McMahon for wrongful termination in Connecticut federal court.
Luck was hired in May 2018 for a reported $20 million deal, and was not listed among creditors I the XFL’s bankruptcy filings. He was fired two days before the XFL’s bankruptcy filing, reportedly for cause.
According to yahoo.com, Luck’s complain says,
“Mr. Luck wholly disputes and rejects the allegations set forth in the Termination Letter and contends they are pretextual and devoid of merit.”
Luck’s lawsuit claims breach of contract.
As reported on ESPN.com, McMahon’s attorney had a reply:
“Oliver Luck’s services as Commissioner and CEO of The XFL were terminated by a letter sent to him on Apr. 9, 2020 which explained the reasons for the termination,” said a statement by Jerry McDevitt of K&L Gates, which represents McMahon. “As to the lawsuit he filed, his allegations will be disputed and the position of Mr. McMahon will be set forth in our response to his lawsuit.”
As unfortunate as the whole situation is, this only adds to the weight of accusations against McMahon for allegedly holding his talent responsible for the pandemic. It’s fair to note that to our knowledge, the other wrestling promotions are still paying their talent for shows that were canceled and keeping them under contract.
Only time will tell how things will work out.
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