Vince McMahon Settles SEC Charges Over Undisclosed Payments

The former WWE CEO will pay $1.7 million after failing to disclose $10.5 million in hush money settlements, impacting the company’s financial reporting.

The SEC found that Vince McMahon failed to disclose two settlement agreements totaling $10.5 million made in 2019 and 2022 to WWE's board, legal team, or auditors.
The undisclosed payments caused WWE to overstate its net income by approximately 8% in 2018 and 1.7% in 2021, necessitating a restatement of financial statements in 2022.
McMahon agreed to pay a $400,000 civil penalty and reimburse WWE over $1.3 million without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings.
The settlements involved non-disclosure agreements with a former employee and an independent contractor, who alleged misconduct by McMahon.
McMahon stepped down as WWE CEO in 2022 and later resigned from TKO Group Holdings in 2024 following additional allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denies.