Overview of WWE Class Action Lawsuit
- Who: Plaintiffs Michael Diesa and Rebecca Toback have initiated a class action lawsuit against World Wrestling Entertainment LLC.
- Why: The plaintiffs assert that WWE misled fans into believing they could access premium live events (PLEs) through an ESPN subscription provided via a pay television service at no additional cost.
- Where: The lawsuit was filed in the federal court of Connecticut.
A newly filed class action lawsuit contends that World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) deceived its audience regarding access to its premium live events, suggesting that existing ESPN subscribers through pay TV providers would enjoy complimentary entry.
Plaintiffs Michael Diesa and Rebecca Toback lodged this legal complaint on January 8 in Connecticut, alleging infractions of state consumer protection statutes.
According to Diesa and Toback, WWE fans were promised free access to the company’s PLEs as part of their ESPN subscription; however, they discovered that a payment of $29.99 per month was required for the new direct-to-consumer (DTC) service.
The lawsuit details that in August 2025, WWE announced the transition of all PLEs from Peacock to ESPN’s novel DTC streaming platform, thereby establishing ESPN as the exclusive U.S. repository for WWE PLEs for a minimum of five years.
The plaintiffs argue that prior to this shift, fans could access PLEs by paying $11 per month for Peacock, contrasting starkly with the new ESPN DTC service, which demands a minimum fee of $29.99 per month.
“WWE fans understandably expressed outrage over what they perceived to be a transparent, intentional, and exorbitant profit scheme,” asserts the class action lawsuit.
Allegations of Collusion between WWE and ESPN
The plaintiffs maintain that WWE’s misrepresentation constituted a “bait and switch,” compelling many consumers, who believed they were already covered under their ESPN subscriptions, to pay for the new service in full.
“In essence, WWE intentionally and willfully engaged in unfair and deceitful competitive practices,” emphasizes the class action lawsuit.
Diesa and Toback allege that WWE and ESPN colluded to contravene Connecticut’s Unfair Trade Practices Act.
They are seeking a jury trial along with declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as compensatory, consequential, nominal, statutory, and punitive damages for themselves and all class members.
Earlier this year, a separate consumer initiated a class action against Disney DTC LLC, claiming that its ESPN website employed tracking technologies to unlawfully harvest users’ data.
The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Joseph P. Guglielmo, Erin Green Comite, and Anja Rusi from Scott + Scott Attorneys at Law LLP, alongside Michael H. Sampson and Nicholas A. Colella from Lynch Carpenter LLP.
Source link: Topclassactions.com.
