Entrepreneur and 2020 U.S. presidential candidate Andrew Yang reacted to Friday’s story on WWE informing their talent of added restrictions regarding third parties.
It was first reported by Wrestling INC that talent was informed this week they would have to stop using third parties within 30 days or face the potential of fines, suspensions, or even termination.
POST Wrestling contacted WWE regarding what was stated to the talent, including what third parties are specifically being listed to stop using. We have yet to hear a response.
Talent is active on many platforms including YouTube, Twitch, Cameo, and TikTok, and can derive income from various outlets.
On Friday evening, 2020 U.S. presidential candidate Andrew Yang weighed in on the status of WWE talent being classified as independent contractors:
Come on Vince – you’ve already deprived the folks breaking their backs for you of healthcare, security, recovery time, retirement benefits and fair treatment re: licenses and royalties. At least let them make a living off their own names. Many of them need it.
— Andrew Yang🧢🇺🇸 (@AndrewYang) September 5, 2020
Yang has spoken in the past about the classification of mixed martial artists advocating for fighters to unionize and have MMA fall under the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act.
Back in May, he told The Washington Post the following:
I’m very confident that under a Democratic administration, we can very quickly recognize the economic reality that these fighters have been operating under and can recognize the reality that they are employees and should have the ability to organize and negotiate for a higher proportion of the sport’s revenues. I don’t need to be president to make that happen. Obviously, I was running for president and would have been thrilled to do it as president, but if there’s a Democratic president, we’ll still get it done.
Like, I can frankly just call Joe [Biden]. [Laughs] And say, “Hey this is going to seem like something you don’t need to care about, but let’s do this for the fighters because it’s the right thing to do.” I’m very excited to make that call.
