Lars Sullivan Fined $100,000 By WWE For Past Controversial Comments
WWE issued Wrestling Inc. a statement today announcing that Dylan Miley, a.k.a. Lars Sullivan, will be fined $100,000 for some misogynistic and bigoted comments that he made years ago on a Bodybuilding.com message board. In addition, Miley will be required to complete sensitivity training for those remarks. The company will also work with Dylan to meet with community organizations to discuss the power of social media and the impact that those words can have.
The comments that Sullivan had made in the past had been making the rounds for some time, but they came back under scrutiny last week after Big E responded to a social media post regarding them, tweeting, "Many are aware. If true, he has to bear the albatross of being a bigot & working in a company that is now filled with minorities."
We were issued an apology from Sullivan, who said that there was no excuse for those remarks, adding, "they do not reflect my personal beliefs nor who I am today, and I apologize to anyone I offended."
WWE had been receiving criticism for not taking action on Sullivan. The controversy reportedly garnered the attention of Mars Wrigley Confectionery, one of the company's top sponsors, who said that they had engaged with WWE "to discuss this situation and seek to understand what actions they will take to swiftly address this matter."
The full statement from WWE:
"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."
