Why WWE Was Deemed Essential In Florida

WWE recently issued a statement declaring that their TV shows would be going live again, and the decision was met with some controversy because of the restrictions put in place due to the coronavirus.

However, Orange County, Florida Mayor Jerry Demings announced on Monday that WWE has been deemed essential.

“I think initially there was a review that was done and they were not initially deemed an essential business. With some conversation with the Governor’s office regarding the Governor’s order, they were deemed an essential business. And so, therefore, they were allowed to remain open.”

ESPN reports that according to a memo sent by the Governor’s office on April 9, recent additions to the “essential services” in the Florida include “employees at a professional sports and media production with a national audience — including any athletes, entertainers, production team, executive team, media team and any others necessary to facilitate including services supporting such production — only if the location is closed to the general public.”

A spokesperson from the Governor’s office told ESPN that these services were deemed essential “because they are critical to Florida’s economy.”

When asked if this applies to UFC the response was, “The memo does not specify specific sports, as long as the event location is closed to the general public.”

Stay tuned for updates.