Kevin Kelly, Brent & Brandon Tate filed a lawsuit against Tony Khan, All Elite Wrestling, and Ian Riccaboni. They are asking the court to certify a class action suit, saying AEW misclassified its talent as independent contractors rather than employees.
In the lawsuit, Kevin Kelly stated that AEW had breached his contract, and Ian Riccaboni defamed him. The former AEW announcer is seeking monetary damages from AEW and Riccaboni.
On his Grilling JR podcast, AEW commentator Jim Ross said that Kevin Kelly and Tate brothers won’t be able to get any kind of settlement.
“When you sign your contract, you agree to the terms. That would include being an independent contractor. I’ll say this. The plaintiffs, Kevin Kelly and those guys, they’ll run out of money before Tony Khan does. I don’t hold out much hope they’re going to get any kind of settlement whatsoever. Maybe I’m wrong. I’m not a judge or lawyer or anything along those lines.”
On X, Kevin Kelly stated that he had considered settling the matter privately, but the company gave him no other option. He also responded to JR.
“Lots of comments on our lawsuit and we will see what happens. I had hoped to settle this fairly and quietly with AEW but they left us no choice. And to my friend JR, this is not “frivolous” in the least. We look forward to what comes next. Thank you all very much.”
Lots of comments on our lawsuit and we will see what happens. I had hoped to settle this fairly and quietly with AEW but they left us no choice. And to my friend JR, this is not "frivolous" in the least. We look forward to what comes next. Thank you all very much.
— Kevin Kelly (@realkevinkelly) September 4, 2024