The USA Today is reporting that WWE Chairman Vince McMahon is countersuing former XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck for $572,792.10.
The suit, filed in Connecticut Federal Court claims Luck defied orders by McMahon when it came to hiring XFL staff and players. McMahon said Luck abandoned his duties when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the league to be suspended in mid-March of 2020.
McMahon also argued that Luck did not follow directions when it came to signing former NFL wide receiver Antonio Callaway for the Tampa Bay Vipers. Vince says that he emphasized to Luck that an XFL player must have “quality football players with good character.” Callaway apparently did not meet McMahon’s standards, during his NFL career, Callaway violated the substance abuse policy, and alos was involved in credit card fraud.
Callaway suffered a knee injury before the start of the XFL season. The League then had to pay him worker’s compensation pay, and the XFL unable to terminate Callaway’s contract without paying him his original signing bonus which exceeded $120,000.
The report also notes that the pursuit of former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel also caused issues between Luck and McMahon. It was said that after learning of reports that the XFL would consider signing Manziel, McMahon texted Luck “How long R U going to play this game Oliver? U know there is NO CHANCE IN HELL for Manziel to play for us. I will not change my mind. So what’s Ur plan??” Luck then responded with “Vince – we have no intention of signing him, none whatsoever. We’re just milking the story to stay in the news. I’m happy to categorically rule him out but both Jeffrey and I think it is worthwhile to milk it until the showcases are finished (July 12). At that point we can say he doesn’t fit into our plans.”
McMahon also accused Luck of leaving the league’s Connecticut headquarters on March 13 and returning to his home in Indiana. After that date, it is said that Luck and McMahon had no direct contact, according to the countersuit, and McMahon claims Luck missed several league operations meetings.
Last month, According to OK!USA, XFL commissioner Oliver Luck is convinced that he will win his wrongful termination suit against former boss WWE CEO Vince McMahon. If Luck wins his case, McMahon would have to pay Luck nearly $24 million.
Back in April of this year, filed suit against Vince McMahon for wrongful termination. Luck said he received a termination letter on April 9 spelling out the case against him. Luck then denied any wrongdoing. Luck said that he fulfilled his end of the bargain, running the league since its resurrection in January 2018 — only to be “wrongfully terminated.”
April 13, 2020 the XFL officially filed for voluntary Chapter 11 Bankruptcy shortly after the league announced they were ceasing operations permanently.
On August 3, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dany Garcia announced they, along with RedBird Capital Partners, purchased the football league in August for $15 million.
In a video that was released on October 1, 2020, along with and press release Johnson announced that the XFL will return in the spring of 2022.