In an update on the Vince McMahon lawsuit, Janel Grant’s representatives have asked WWE to release the parties involved from their NDAs.
In January, Janel Grant filed a lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE. Grant alleged that she was “the victim of physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault, and trafficking at WWE.” McMahon denied the allegations and resigned from WWE. He remains under federal investigation.
The Associated Press reports that Ann Callis, an attorney for Grant, emailed a letter to lawyers for WWE, Vince McMahon, and Laurinaitis, asking them not to enforce the nondisclosure agreements with current and former employees and contractors. This would allow them to potentially come forward with similar accusations.
Callis commented on the news in a statement, per The Associated Press:
“If WWE and its parent company Endeavor are serious about parting ways with Vince McMahon and the toxic workplace culture he created, their executives should have no problem with releasing former WWE employees from their NDAs,” Ann Callis said. “This is the first step to rehabilitating a company that covered up decades of sexual assault and human trafficking.”
As previously reported by the Wall Street Journal in July 2022, four women, who were formerly affiliated with WWE, signed NDAs with McMahon. This prevented them from discussing their relationships with him.
Ann Callis’ Letter
Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics shared the text of Callis’ letter. Callis wrote that, “”WWE cannot move on from its sordid past while its victims remain silenced.” In the latter, Callis also stated that “if WWE is truly committed to change, it must allow survivors to speak their truth without fear of reprisal.” Additionally, Callis reiterated this was a chance for WWE to prove that they have changed.
“We urge WWE to quickly and proactively release its current and former employees and contractors from any obligations under any WWE-executed NDA that would prevent them from discussing sexual misconduct, abuse, or assault during their time at WWE without delay,” Callis wrote. “WWE wants people to believe the company has changed—this is its chance to prove it.”
Furthermore, Thurston wrote that he contacted Vince McMahon’s representatives. Thurston wrote that he was referred to attorney Jessica Rosenberg’s prior statement that called Grant’s claims false.
WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.
