Multiple executives gone from WWE in post-merger layoffs

Update —

PWInsider reports that Andrew Levine was let go in Friday’s layoffs. Levine, who was with WWE for more than five years, was the company’s vice president of international and platform strategy.

WWE’s marketing, live events, podcasting, and WWE Network divisions were among those affected by the layoffs, according to PWInsider.

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Multiple WWE executives have been let go following Endeavor’s acquisition of the company.

The post-merger layoffs began on Friday with PWInsider reporting that Jamie Horowitz (EVP of development and digital) and Catherine Newman (EVP and head of marketing) have been laid off by the company.

Horowitz was hired by WWE in June 2021. He previously worked for ESPN, Fox Sports, and DAZN. In 2017, Horowitz was fired from his position as president of Fox Sports National amid a sexual harassment investigation.

Newman was the chief marketing officer for Manchester United Media prior to joining WWE in June 2022.

PWInsider adds that Amanda Bloom, who worked as director of enterprise master data and governance, has also been laid off by WWE. Bloom was with the company for nearly eight years, originally working as a metadata specialist.

It was announced on September 12 that the WWE-Endeavor deal had been completed. With the acquisition, WWE and the UFC have been merged into the publicly traded company TKO Group Holdings. Endeavor holds a controlling interest of 51 percent in TKO and WWE shareholders hold a 49 percent interest.

WWE informed employees on Thursday that it was “evaluating our existing operations and systems to identify potential synergies across the business.” WWE stated that would include workforce reductions, which would take place on Friday.

It was revealed on September 13 that WWE chief financial officer Frank Riddick, who received a $5 million bonus with the WWE-Endeavor deal closing, is departing the company at the end of this month.