Stamford live- and video-wrestling promoter WWE says it is a responsible Connecticut corporate taxpayer and says it hopes the governor will consider it for economic assistance to finance a new cable-TV network that will employ some 200 more people.
WWE issued a statement accusing Connecticut media of wrongly accusing it of not paying its fair share of taxes.
U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon is WWE’s former CEO.
“The recent accusations and subsequent reports by Connecticut-based media that WWE was ‘caught’ not paying taxes is blatantly false,’’ the company said. “Publicly traded companies often review taxes with regulatory authorities.”
WWE said an agreement with the state resulted in the company paying the state “approximately $500,000 annually over and above what WWE already had paid for the years 2005 through 2010, plus interest …’’
WWE said it employees more than 700, of whom its Connecticut staff has drawn $600 million in wages over the past decade. The company said it $55 million in payroll and other taxes in the same period.
WWE said it will apply for entry into Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s “First Five/Next Five’’ economic development initiative.
“WWE has a responsibility to its shareholders to apply for tax credits when possible,’’ the company said.
