John Laurinaitis And Vince McMahon’s Assistants Subpoenaed In Shareholder Lawsuit
In November 2023, WWE shareholders, led by the Ohio Laborers’ Pension Fund, filed a lawsuit alleging that Vince McMahon orchestrated WWE’s 2023 merger with Endeavor to ensure he remained in power, bypassing other potential buyers who likely wouldn’t have kept him in charge, and failing to maximize shareholder value.
Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics has the latest update, reporting that former WWE executive John Laurinaitis was scheduled to be and presumably was deposed this past Friday, September 26 via Zoom from his attorney’s office in Florida. Laurinaitis is not a defendant in the suit.
WWE executives Nick Khan and Paul Levesque, and former board members George Barrios and Michelle Wilson are defendants.
Brothers Paul Mangieri and Michael (Mickey) Mangieri, who were McMahon’s personal assistants at the time, have also been subpoenaed for documents.
Thurston adds, “Liberty Media (owners of Formula 1, among other assets) and major private equity firm KKR are also scheduled to be deposed. Individuals at Liberty Media who are “most knowledgeable” about the subjects the plaintiffs are seeking information about are set to be interviewed under oath on September 30. KKR partner Ted Oberwager will be deposed on October 30. While it’s not been openly confirmed, Liberty Media and KKR may have been bidders or potential suitors for WWE.”
The case is currently in the discovery phase, with more depositions expected in the coming weeks.
