By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE issued a statement to announce that Lars Sullivan (Dylan Miley) has been fined and is required to undergo sensitivity training for racist and homophobic comments he posted on message boards prior to working for the company.
“WWE supports a culture of inclusion regardless of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation, and we are committed to embracing all individuals as demonstrated by the diversity of our employees, performers and fans worldwide.
“Dylan Miley (aka Lars Sullivan) will be fined $100,000 and required to complete sensitivity training for offensive commentary uncovered from his past. WWE will also facilitate meetings for Dylan with community organizations to foster further discussion around the power of social media and the impact of your words.”
Powell’s POV: It’s hard to imagine that Miley wouldn’t win if he challenged WWE legally given that they are fining him for something that took place prior to his employment with the company. That said, I doubt he will rock the boat given that the fine beats the alternative of being fired. The sensitivity training is very appropriate. Here’s hoping that WWE will take it a step further by donating the $100,000 to a worthy charity.
Check below for the latest Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast with Jason Powell and guest Justin Credible discussing his sobriety, what triggered his PTSD, filming the Credible documentary, returning to the ring, his thoughts on WWE, AEW, the NWA Crockett Cup, and more.
Something that happened before he worked for the company and the company is fining him???!!! And people wanna know why Trump won…
This is a company that supports trump and whose former CEO worked in his administration. Why exactly would these actions by this company inspire people to vote for someone like trump again?
I read the comments he made, they were not racist or homophobic. And I really hope that no one complaining about the comments is a fan of Sabu or Jey Brisco, considering both have many homophobic comments on Twitter (for example, Jay Brisco threatened to kill anyone who tried teaching his kids that gay people should be treated the same as straight people. And his character was a babyface when he said this).
It’s utterly ridiculous that WWE can punish people for things they said/did when they were not employed by WWE. If they find out he got in a fight in middle school will they punish him for that as well?
Probably not as long as it isn’t related to a hate crime
Powell mentioned it, but it’s fairly safe to say they legally probably can’t. He should honestly challenge it. Of course they’d most likely terminate him, and as an independent contractor it’s hard to say where that’d leave him. The internet is full of conflicting information there.