WWE COO Brad Blum Resigns Amid Vince McMahon Sex Trafficking Lawsuit

In a significant development, WWE's Chief Operating Officer (COO) Brad Blum has resigned from his position, effective May 1, 2024. Blum's departure comes amid the ongoing sex trafficking lawsuit filed by former employee Janel Grant against WWE, Vince McMahon, and John Laurinaitis.

Why this matters: The resignation of a high-ranking executive like Brad Blum amid allegations of sex trafficking and abuse highlights the need for corporations to prioritize accountability and transparency in their handling of such cases. This development also raises questions about the culture and practices within WWE, which could have broader implications for the sports entertainment industry as a whole.

According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Blum made the decision to resign voluntarily and was not forced out by the company. Blum had been with WWE since 2006, serving in various leadership roles, including Chief of Staff, Executive Vice President of Operations, and most recently, COO. He was considered one of the three most powerful officers in WWE, alongside Nick Khan and Paul "Triple H" Levesque.

As COO, Blum oversaw several key departments within the company, including Corporate Strategy, Marketing, Corporate Communications, Creative Services, IT & Technology, Insights & Analytics, Real Estate & Facilities, and Corporate Travel. His resignation marks a significant transition within WWE's leadership structure.

Blum's name surfaced in the lawsuit filed by Janel Grant, where he was identified as "Corporate Officer No. 2." The lawsuit alleges that Blum was involved in hiring Grant for a $75,000 per year job in the legal department after a meeting with McMahon. It further claims that in February 2020, Blum warned McMahon about rumors circulating regarding his relationship with Grant, leading to her transfer to another department.

In March 2024, WWE issued a statement asserting that neither Nick Khan nor Brad Blum were aware of any allegations by Ms. Grant that she was the victim of abuse or unwanted physical contact before the lawsuit was filed on January 25, 2024. The company emphasized its commitment to taking such allegations seriously and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for any form of abuse or unwanted physical contact.

Blum's resignation adds to a series of high-profile departures from WWE in recent months. Executive Vice President of Talent Dan Ventrelle and Senior Vice President of Athlete ID & Development Trent Wilfinger have also left the company. The ongoing lawsuit and the subsequent leadership changes have brought increased scrutiny to WWE's corporate culture and practices.

As the legal proceedings continue, WWE faces the challenge of navigating the allegations while maintaining its position as a leading sports entertainmentcompany. The departure of Brad Blum, a long-serving executive, marks a significant shift in the company's leadership dynamics. The full implications of his resignation and the ongoing lawsuit on WWE's operations and reputation remain to be seen.

Key Takeaways

• WWE COO Brad Blum resigns amid sex trafficking lawsuit against Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis.
• Blum's departure highlights need for corporate accountability and transparency in handling abuse allegations.
• Blum was a high-ranking executive, overseeing several key departments, including Marketing and Corporate Strategy.
• Blum's name surfaced in the lawsuit, alleging he was involved in hiring and transferring Janel Grant, the plaintiff, within WWE.
• Blum's resignation adds to a series of high-profile departures from WWE, raising scrutiny of the company's corporate culture.