WWE producer Lee Fitting reportedly dismissed from ESPN due to misconduct allegations

On Wednesday, an explosive article from Katie Strang and Andrew Marchand regarding WWE producer, Lee Fitting, was published by The Athletic. Fitting was reportedly dismissed from ESPN for misconduct against female employees.

He once oversaw the popular ESPN show, “College GameDay”. Additionally, he oversaw all NFL and college properties, “giving him the ability to make or break careers.” In July 2023, a complaint against him triggered ESPN’s human resources department to look into the matter. According to The Athletic, this included “prominent female staffers.” 

Via a spokesperson, Fitting denied some of the allegations made against him and chose not to address others. The Athletic also says he declined to comment on “the broader characterization of him as someone who mistreated women during his tenure at ESPN or why he was let go by the network.”

ESPN declined to discuss his dismissal with the publication. The Athletic spoke to more than 20 employees about his alleged behavior, which included six people who were involved in ESPN’s investigation. Employees said “that the workplace under Fitting featured boorish behavior and offensive remarks, many of them sexual in nature.” 

Allegations against Fitting by ESPN employees

The Athletic outlines several incidents involving Fitting. One woman says he would tell her how to wear her hair, preferring it up in a ponytail. She replied to his text and told him that she’d already been to hair and makeup. He replied, “put your hair up in a ponytail before I do it for you.” Fitting denied saying he’d put it up for her. 

Another allegation involved a woman who said that Fitting told her not to laugh on air because he thought her laugh was annoying. Via his spokesperson, Fitting said it was his job to provide feedback to both male and female on-air talent regarding their on-air delivery and appearance. There are several other allegations mentioned in the article that point toward a trend in behavior prior to the investigation.

An additional allegation reportedly occurred around 2017, when ESPN employee contacted Fitting regarding work opportunities. She says that he texted her and asked if she should get a hotel room for the night. The meeting never ended up happening because she interpreted the text as Fitting wanting to get a room for the two of them. Another employee alleged she asked to meet with him three times regarding career opportunities. Every time she asked, he wanted to meet her for drinks and she declined.

In 2023, ESPN also learned that “College GameDay” was involved in a scheme involving sending falsified submissions to The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. They operate the Emmys and the scheme led to them receiving over 30 awards they didn’t earn. Fitting was banned from future Emmy participation.

WWE hires Fitting

WWE hired Fitting in January of this year as the producer of both “RAW” and “SmackDown”. WWE had no comment regarding the allegations against Fitting. The Athletic points out that WWE president Nick Khan was previously a talent agent and some of his clients were ESPN personalities. 

When Fitting was hired, Khan told Variety that “Lee is a phenomenal leader and executive known for work that generates both critical acclaim and mass appeal. Lee will be a tremendous addition to our stellar media and production team and play a key role in helping catapult WWE’s growth.”

WWE is currently named in two lawsuits. In January, former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a lawsuit against WWE, Vince McMahon, and John Laurinaitis for sexual abuse and trafficking. Last week, the six-month stay on Grant’s lawsuit expired and she is now free to move forward with it. 

In October, five former “Ring Boys” filed a lawsuit against WWE, parent company TKO Holdings, Vince and Linda McMahon. They allege that it was known that they were being sexually abused by former ring announcer, Mel Phillips. That lawsuit is currently stayed pending a ruling in regards to the Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023. A ruling is expected by August 31, 2025 on the act.