The XFL is back in the news following a settlement between Vince McMahon and Oliver Luck following Lucks’ lawsuit claiming he was fired so McMahon could avoid paying him millions owed, and McMahon countersued, claiming Luck was fired for cause after the league declared bankruptcy after closing in 2020.
With that settlement done and XFL getting ready for another run in a partnership with the NFL in 2023. The XFL announced their exclusive partnership with the NFL Alumni Academy to combine their scouting and training to develop players to move onto the NFL.
WWE, Vince McMahon, The Rock, and ESPN Sued over XFL “Trade Secrets”
While this could be taken as good news that allowed the league to move forward, PWInsider reported that a new lawsuit was filed involving the XFL on July 20 in the United States District Court for the North District of Texas by David Adrian Smith.
The lawsuit names the WWE, Vince McMahon, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Dany Garcia, Dick Ebersol, ESPN, WWE Chief Financial Officer Frank Riddick, Carol Riddick, and several more.
The claim
Smith claims that confidential trade secrets were passed around and were used by those named in the lawsuit and is seeking $15 million and court costs.
Through the lawsuit, Smith claims he sent confidential trade secret data to Carol Riddick via email. It included, with quote curtesy of comicbook.com, “market analysis, opportunity analysis, strategic analysis, and other business information regarding a concept for a minor league or developmental league spring football league.”
In his first email to Carol Riddick, he told her: “Please feel free to share with Mr. Riddick but ya’ll keep it under your hats until we have a chance to discuss how to proceed or that it has not merit.”
He claims they had several back and forth emails where she asked numerous questions he answered and “further analysis of the opportunity including further trade secret information.”
Smith said that he stopped after no responses came from Frank Riddick of Vince McMahon “with feedback on what Defendant #1 [World Wrestling Entertainment] learned from their previous failed venture.”
He claims the Riddicks shared the information with Vince McMahon, and then with former NBC Executive Dick Ebersol, Charlie Ebersol, and ESPN. He alleges the information he supplied was used to produce ESPN’s 30 For 30 documentary “This was the XFL”.
Used to sell and create leagues
Adding to those accusations, Smith claims that his trade secrets were used when the WWE sold the XFL to Alpha Entertainment, and that Ebersol used the same information to create the AAF.
He further alleged his trade secrets were used when Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia bought the XFL from Alpha Entertainment.
What do you think about this new lawsuit? Let us know in the comments below.
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