ORLANDO, Fla. -- An off-camera comment from WWE Chairman Vince McMahon saying questions concerning performance-enhancing drugs in wrestling were in "poor taste" during an Orlando event prompted a stinging reply from Local 6 sports director Todd Lewis during a newscast.

On Wednesday, McMahon and city officials announced Orlando's Citrus Bowl will host the premiere event of the WWE, WrestleMania 24.

Lewis said the announcement came with controversy after a report stated 11 current or former WWE wrestlers used illegal performance-enhancing drugs.

"Despite the large, young audience, McMahon made no apologies," Lewis said.

"I don't think it sends a negative message," McMahon said. "It would be one thing if that were brought out and promoted in our events and things of that nature. We are talking about a minority of individuals that do things like this and you are going to find it everywhere."

After the interview, McMahon said bringing up the subject of performance-enhancing drugs at the event was in poor taste, Lewis reported.

Lewis responded to McMahon's comment during Local 6's 6 p.m news show.

"Vince, you have your employees dying prematurely due to health problems from steroid use, you send women out to wrestle in dental floss with more silicon in their body than a Tupperware convention and you are going to lecture people about poor taste?" Lewis said. "Make sure you Windex that glass house you live in before throwing those stones, my friend."

The WrestleMania event is expected to pump more than $25 million into the local economy.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.