Lars Sullivan Fined $100,000 For Racist And Sexist Comments

Lars Sullivan has experienced some backlash from the WWE after posting a series of bigot comments on a bodybuilder forum between 2007 and 2013. Since he was an adult at the time of the posts, fans have been quick to show their discontent. While the original flare-up regarding Sullivan’s statements died down, Big E’s response on Twitter has got the conversation going again. Now, the WWE was forced to take action, so they can keep using Lars Sullivan on their roster.

Lars Sullivan Fined $100,000

While the WWE faced a lot of pressure from fans, they did not take action until some of their sponsors became disgruntled with the whole thing. The company has released a statement regarding the scandal and subsequently fined Sullivan.

“WWE supports a culture of inclusion regardless of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation, and we are committed to embracing all individuals as demonstrated by the diversity of our employees, performers and fans worldwide.”

“Dylan Miley (aka Lars Sullivan) will be fined $100,000 and required to complete sensitivity training for offensive commentary uncovered from his past. WWE will also facilitate meetings for Dylan with community organizations to foster further discussion around the power of social media and the impact of your words.”

What I Suggest Should Happen

I couldn’t care less about the large fine he received. However, I do like the fact the WWE will put him into sensitivity training. On the other hand, I would like them to take it one step further and put Lars in treatment with a psychologist.

Let’s face it. A lot of the statements made by Lars Sullivan are due to ignorance and simply a lack of empathy towards other people. Fining and some basic sensitivity training is not enough in my book. After all, the comments he made were particularly heinous and frankly stupid. This is not a role model for children who watch wrestling. If the WWE wants to persist with Sullivan, they should invest in his development as a human being.

While Lars Sullivan has “apologised“, it was mainly a generic statement. We have no idea as fans what goes on behind the scenes. I very much doubt that superstars such as Big E, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, Apollo Crews, and frankly the entire female roster are happy about Lars Sullivan’s push. Nevertheless, the WWE seems adamant in pushing “The Freak”.

Is It Enough?

There is also a lack of transparency within the WWE that makes this fine almost mean nothing. How do we know as fans that this fine is indeed being levied? That this is not just a statement made by the WWE to make fans and sponsors stop voicing their displeasure? You do not change a person’s views by a monetary fine, you change them through education. Maybe it is time for Lars to speak to some of the people he made fun of in the statements he posted? All I know is, he needs to do some genuine charity work. He also needs to work on himself as a person for me to accept him in any shape or form. For now, Sullivan is a non-factor in my WWE experience.