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WWE is under a lot of scrutiny to why they have been deemed an “essential business” in the State Of Florida, despite a “stay-at-home” Executive Order issued by Governor Ron DeSantis.
According to John Alba and Stephanie Coueignoux of Spectrum News13, the Orange County Sheriff’s department were called to the WWE Performance Center several times over the last month.
Law enforcement notified the WWE that they were not in compliance with the Executive Order, and asked for the tapings to be shut down.
Days later, America First Action, headed by Linda McMahon committed a $18.5 million dollar superPac to the State Of Florida.
The pro-Trump superPAC will go towards broadcast advertising in the state, with $7.2 million spent in Tampa, and $11.3 million spent in Orlando.
Linda McMahon, who is the wife to to WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, also served as Head Of Small Business Administration under President Donald Trump from 2017 – 2019.
NEW: @OrangeCoSheriff tells @StephanieCNews and I it was called several times to the #WWE PC in the last few weeks, and told the company it was not in compliance with the existing Executive Order and had to close down. April 9th's EO changed that.https://t.co/UBlu7ZDWaU
— Jon Alba (@JonAlba) April 14, 2020
Governor Ron DeSantis amendment came the same day that Linda McMahon announcer her pro-Trump superPAC was committing $18.5 million to the state.
DeSantis order indicates that sports and media productions with a national audience are deemed “essential” if the location is closed to the general public.
While no connection between DeSantis decision and Linda McMahon’s superPac commitment has been verified, many are beginning to question if there was influence in the decision.
https://twitter.com/davidbix/status/1250176307700391936?s=20
WWE – COVID-19 Timeline
- March 13: WWE presents SmackDown for first time in front of no audience at Performance Center in Orlando, FL
- March/Early April: Orlando Sheriff’s Department called multiple times to shut down WWE tapings at Performance Center.
- March 26: WWE broadcast team member tests positive for COVID-19
- April 3: State of Florida goes under “stay-at-home” order.
- April 9: Linda McMahon’s America First Action pro-Trump SuperPac commits $18.5 million to State of Florida
- April 10: Govenor Ron DeSantis amends “stay-at-home” order to allow WWE to continue to operate from WWE Performance Center.
- April 10: Vince McMahon calls off scheduled mass WWE tapings, informing talent they will now go live every week.
- April 11: WWE issues statement regarding employee who tests positive for COVID-19.
- April 13: Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings informs media WWE is considered “essential”, mentioning amended order from Governor Ron DeSantis.
- April 14: Governor Ron DeSantis speaks to reporters, indicating WWE and other sports will be allowed to continue in the State Of Florida, as long as no audience is present.
- April 14: President Donald Trump speaks restarting sporting events. He says he will speak to commissioners of major sporting leagues, as well as Vince McMahon.
https://twitter.com/AminAjani/status/1250201331878498305