In an SEC (United States Securities and Exchange Commission) filing on May 3rd, 2018 by World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., the company disclosed that they entered into an agreement with the XFL and subsequently, WWE now has a minority equity interest in the XFL.
The filing allows the XFL the right to launch its brand without legal conflict with WWE, where McMahon is currently the CEO. That is a move to be expected. However, skeptics will criticize McMahon’s decision to give WWE a minority equity interest in the XFL, which he was not required to do.
After BodySlam.net Managing Editor Brad Shepard broke the story on the return of the XFL on December 15th, 2017, WWE issued a statement on the story which created a vision of WWE and the XFL being separate entities.
“Vince McMahon has established and is personally funding a separate entity from WWE, Alpha Entertainment, to explore investment opportunities across the sports and entertainment landscapes, including professional football,” the company said.
On December 18th, 2017, Shepard warned that a source in WWE indicated to him that although they would be separate entities on paper, WWE would be very involved behind the scenes, much as they were with Linda McMahon’s U.S. Senate run. Now it appears we are seeing that play out.
WWE’s level of involvement in the XFL will be something to watch going forward.
