Report: Vince McMahon Returning to WWE to Explore Sale

Per WSJ’s report, McMahon has informed the company that he is electing himself and two other former co-presidents and directors, Michelle Wilson and George Barrios, to the board. McMahon’s majority voting power through his Class-B stock ownership allows him to do this, and three current board members would have to vacate their seats as a result.

McMahon is reportedly making the move now because WWE’s media rights are going to be renegotiated soon — providing a small window for McMahon to lead a sale of the company before it has to engage in media negotiations.

WWE has actually done reasonably well — and, thus, increased its potential sale price — without McMahon in the picture.

Immediately following McMahon’s “retirement” announcement in July, the company’s stock price soared, and several companies — namely, Endeavor, Comcast’s NBCUniversal Media, and Liberty Media — expressed interest in buying the company should it go up for sale.

In November, WWE reported a record $304.6 million in Q3 2022 revenue — a 19% increase year-over-year.

Since the elder McMahon’s departure, the company has been led by co-CEOs Nick Khan and Stephanie McMahon — Vince’s daughter. It is unclear how his return will affect their positions.