WWE Producer Lee Fitting Faces Allegations of Misconduct from ESPN Days

Lee Fitting, a former ESPN producer known for his work on College GameDay, is under fire following allegations of workplace misconduct that ultimately led to his dismissal from the network in 2023. Despite the allegations, Fitting has since landed a role as a producer for WWE’s Raw and SmackDown, raising questions about the company’s vetting process.

A report from The Athletic details accusations against Fitting, including objectifying women, making crude remarks about their appearance, and creating a toxic environment for female staffers. One incident from 2012 allegedly involved Fitting commenting on a woman’s ability to “open her throat” to drink a beer, suggesting it meant she’d be good at performing fellatio. He has denied this claim.

In another instance, Fitting allegedly texted a female colleague multiple times, pressuring her to wear her hair in a ponytail and saying, “Put your hair up in a ponytail before I do it for you.” He reportedly denied this accusation as well. Women who worked with Fitting also shared that he often commented on their makeup, outfits, and even their laughter, which he allegedly found “annoying.”

The report also alleges Fitting directed production crews to prioritize shots of attractive women in the crowd for College GameDay broadcasts. In one instance, he allegedly criticized Notre Dame cheerleaders for not being “attractive enough” and asked for their shots to be cut.

Fitting, through a spokesperson, denied several of the allegations but declined to address others or comment on his dismissal from ESPN. Meanwhile, former colleagues described an environment where women felt they had to tolerate inappropriate behavior or risk being ostracized.

Despite the controversy, Fitting joined WWE in January 2024 to produce its flagship shows. WWE has remained silent on the allegations, even as the company faces a separate lawsuit from former employee Janel Grant, who accused Vince McMahon of sexual assault and sex trafficking.

The timing of Fitting’s hire raises questions about WWE’s commitment to addressing workplace culture issues, especially given its own legal troubles.