Vince McMahon Banning WWE Talent From Using Third Party Platforms

It was originally reported by Wrestling Inc that Vince McMahon instructed WWE Superstars to cease engaging with outside third parties which likely includes Cameo, Twitch and possibly YouTube.

Talents would have 30 days to comply or be subjected to fines, suspensions and terminations. This move would essentially mean that Superstars who have established followings on these platforms would lose significant income.

Vince McMahon: ”You’re Independent Contractors”

Also Vince McMahon: ”You can’t use certain third-party apps. Obey or be punished. I own you.”

Presidential candidate Andrew Yang came to the defence of wrestlers to say the following:

If I’m not the Secretary of Labor I’m pretty confident I’ll have his or her number to talk about the ridiculous classification of WWE wrestlers as independent contractors while controlling their name and likeness for years, even for something as benign as Cameo.

— Andrew Yang🧢🇺🇸 (@AndrewYang) September 5, 2020

Come on Vince - you’ve already deprived the folks breaking their backs for you of healthcare, security, recovery time, retirement benefits and fair treatment re: licenses and royalties. At least let them make a living off their own names. Many of them need it.

— Andrew Yang🧢🇺🇸 (@AndrewYang) September 5, 2020

For all the wrestlers who know that you’re being misclassified but are reliant on staying on Vince’s good side - even because WWE might hire you - I get it. Our job is to make it easier for you to get what you deserve without risking your career.

— Andrew Yang🧢🇺🇸 (@AndrewYang) September 5, 2020

Vince you’d better hope your old friend Donald wins because change is in the air and changes are long overdue where your corrupt labor practices are concerned. It would give me great pleasure. The people know.

— Andrew Yang🧢🇺🇸 (@AndrewYang) September 5, 2020

Update: WWE would release a statement on this matter as of yesterday while offering some clarification:

“Much like Disney and Warner Bros., WWE creates, promotes and invests in its intellectual property, i.e. the stage names of performers like The Fiend Bray Wyatt, Roman Reigns, Big E and Braun Strowman. It is the control and exploitation of these characters that allows WWE to drive revenue, which in turn enables the company to compensate performers at the highest levels in the sports entertainment industry. Notwithstanding the contractual language, it is imperative for the success of our company to protect our greatest assets and establish partnerships with third parties on a companywide basis, rather than at the individual level, which as a result will provide more value for all involved.”

My Take: The decision for Vince McMahon and WWE to ban their wrestlers from earning extra income on third-party platforms such as Twitch, Cameo and YouTube will inevitably backfire due to talent getting fed up with being micromanaged and controlled.

Despite being labelled "Independent Contractors" Vince believes in essentially owning his talent while asking them to sign their lives away in favour of an opportunity under the bright lights.

Personally, I believe it's time for talent to join a labor union such as The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.