Ari Emanuel Told Vince McMahon ‘There’s Ways Around This’ Amid Federal Investigation In 2022 (New Audio)
New audio has been released of Ari Emanuel speaking to Vince McMahon in 2022.
POST Wrestling acquired audio of Emanuel leaving two messages to McMahon that were sent in September 2022 after McMahon had retired as WWE CEO following an investigation of sexual misconduct and hush money.
In a voice message on September 16, 2022, Emanuel said, “I spoke to my lawyer from Latham,” Emanuel said, referring to top-tier law firm Latham & Watkins, which often served as Endeavor’s outside counsel. “Just FYI, everybody at the DOJ is former Latham lawyers. So on that side, it will be helpful. SEC, of course, is SEC, but that’s just the penalty. As it relates to everything else, yes, we can indemnify you, and we will. If it’s criminal, of course, you can’t stop criminal, but this is not criminal. Call me when you get a chance.”
On September 19, Emanuel told McMahon, “I really do think that we all need to get together and talk through all the issues, because I think whether it be the DOJ or anything, there’s ways around this to figure this out, and I don’t know what, you know, you’re hearing or thinking. So give me a call if you have five seconds.”
McMahon returned to WWE in December 2022 and announced his intention to sell.
On December 13, 2022, McMahon left a voice message for
Jeff Sine, the banker from The Raine Group who advised McMahon and WWE on the merger deal that ultimately occurred.
“Hey, Jeff. It’s 10:13 [p.m.]. Very good meeting with Ari and company. And I think and probably the best thing to do is to go forward with the deal with Ari. It solves a lot of problems. I, you know, again, together, I think it’s a stronger situation than either one of us on our own. But I’m pretty sure that’s the way I want to go now. It’s easier, faster and all that kind of stuff. So, let’s talk in the morning, and I didn’t commit to Ari, but let’s talk in the morning, and, and go. [Laughs.] Jeff, thank you so much. Sorry to call so late,” he said on the message
A deal with Endeavor, officially merging WWE and UFC to form TKO, was announced in April 2023.
Shareholders filed a lawsuit regarding the merger, but it was settled before going to trial.
