A newly released expose from The Athletic revealed that WWE hired Lee Fitting despite being fired from ESPN after leading a toxic and sexist work environment.
For a few decades, Kevin Dunn played a massive role in what wrestling fans saw during WWE broadcasts. Vince McMahon and his team came up with the storylines and creative direction, while Dunn and his crew brought it to life on camera.
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However, disgusting allegations of sexual assault and mistreatment of female employees brought McMahon’s reign to an official end last year. Several of his closet cronies were either sent packing or eventually left the company. Dunn was one of those individuals, and to replace him WWE hired ESPN veteran Lee Fitting.
WWE fans have probably noticed his name popping up in the credits of Raw and Smackdown. Or Paul “Triple H” Levesque showering him with praise for the work he has done as their director and producer. However, after trying to fix the company’s damaged reputation by moving out some questionable executives, it seems they hired another in Fitting.
Lee Fitting was accused of creating toxic work environment and misconduct at ESPN
On Wednesday, The Athletic published an expose on why Fitting’s rise in ESPN and eventual downfall last year. He originally started as an associate producer on “College Gameday.” He would work his way up to being the director of the show. Turning it into one of the top college football pregame brands in sports. It led to him getting a similar role for the company’s other college football and NFL content.
However, the report suggests he came up during a time in ESPN culture where there was more of a “frat house” atmosphere. He continued that tradition as he rose through the ranks and became close with many executives in the company. It is why his reputation for “making comments objectifying women, criticizing their physical appearance and making crude jokes, some sexual in nature, in the workplace” was overlooked.
A complaint last year led to an internal investigation. And he was fired and escorted out of the building unceremoniously. “It finally caught up to him,” said one of the women questioned during the investigation.
While some in the company were dismayed with the way Lee Fitting was tossed out of ESPN, another woman questioned by The Athletic for the story told the outlet “I can’t believe it took this long.”
Fitting denied some of the allegations against him and chose not to address others. He declined to comment on the characterization he is someone who mistreated women during his tenure at ESPN. WWE hired Fitting in January.
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