Jersey Promoters Sue Live Nation

Playing Too Hard Ball?

JUICE ENTERTAINMENT of NEW JERSEY is suing LIVE NATION for using strong-arm tactics to terminate a contract between JUICE and the NEW JERSEY STATE FAIR, reports POLLSTAR. JUICE principals THOMAS DORFMAN and CHRIS BARRETT claim LIVE NATION used unfair business tactics that led to the fair terminating its agreement to have Juice book concerts at this year’s fair, held at the MEADOWLANDS complex in EAST RUTHERFORD JUNE 24th-JULY 10th.

The lawsuit, filed in Federal Court, says JUICE lost more than $75,000 as a result. It also charges that:

* LIVE NATION told STATE FAIR ENTERTAINMENT MANAGEMENT that JUICE was broke and lacked the experience to book concerts for the fair,

* LIVE NATION led a coordinated campaign to keep acts from booking at the event. In one case, the act TIESTO was allegedly told it would not be allowed to play at LIVE NATION venues if he decided to perform at the fair.

* LIVE NATION told STATE FAIR ENTERTAINMENT MANAGEMENT Pres. AL DORSO "that the WILLIAM MORRIS TALENT agency belonged ‘exclusively’ to LIVE NATION and that no artists represented by WILLIAM MORRIS would be permitted to sign contracts with JUICE ENTERTAINMENT."

* LIVE NATION strong-armed NEW JERSEY SPORTS AND EXPOSITION AUTHORITY with removing its ticketing services if NJSEA did assist in getting LIVE NATION involvement with the fair concerts.

A representative for LIVE NATION was not available for comment at press time.

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