A local Dallas newstation just advertised that they have a copy of Prince's contract from the benefit concert that he was supposed to perform at Feb 4th. WFAA just announced that they will be discussing the contract during their 10pm news.

Will have to check it out...

Their website is wfaa.com (copy/paste). I don't see anything posted about it yet.

Did anyone else catch it?

They reported that the contract states that he would've got $1.5 million for 45 minutes plus money for travel and hotel. And 4 super bowl tickets.

They had a clip with Chris Arnold the benefit orgranizer and he said that Prince's manager said that Prince very much wanted to perform but that "it couldn't get resolved." When the reporter asked what that meant, Chris said he couldn't go into details.

CallMeCarrie said:

Did anyone else catch it?

They reported that the contract states that he would've got $1.5 million for 45 minutes plus money for travel and hotel. And 4 super bowl tickets.

They had a clip with Chris Arnold the benefit orgranizer and he said that Prince's manager said that Prince very much wanted to perform but that "it couldn't get resolved." When the reporter asked what that meant, Chris said he couldn't go into details.

Missed channel 8 news, but it sounds like a hot mess to me.

People are crazy if they still think Prince screwed the pooch now that we know what he was going to get paid for that set!

jpnyc said:

People are crazy if they still think Prince screwed the pooch now that we know what he was going to get paid for that set!

Prince would probably donate that money to the charities of his choice anyway.

CallMeCarrie said:

Did anyone else catch it?

They reported that the contract states that he would've got $1.5 million for 45 minutes plus money for travel and hotel. And 4 super bowl tickets.

They had a clip with Chris Arnold the benefit orgranizer and he said that Prince's manager said that Prince very much wanted to perform but that "it couldn't get resolved." When the reporter asked what that meant, Chris said he couldn't go into details.

Here's the link:

http://www.wfaa.com/enter...93539.html

Not much surprising in the story. Obviously Prince gets paid well, but everyone knows that already. Still, I'm glad WFAA is still digging into the facts. They need to talk to someone other than Chris Arnold.

Haven't gotten my refund yet, but I'm glad to hear that others have.

By the way, for those of you who don't know, it was WFAA-TV that exposed the slush fund scandal that brought down the SMU football team in the 1980s and ultimately implicated the governor of Texas. It was quite brave of them at the time given how many powerful local people were involved. Not that this is anything like that, but it's reassuring that local media still have investigative journalists on staff who try to get to the bottom of things. If CNN was covering this story, they'd be surfing Twitter and Facebook and asking the viewers to call in with any tips.

Looking at the blurry images of the contract, you can see "Meridian Entertainment Group" at the top. That is also the company whose name is listed next to the charge on my credit card. It seems to be a Michigan-based company that puts on other concerts:

http://www.capitalgainsme...g0411.aspx

Of course, we still don't have much to go on. But I'm becoming more suspicious that Chris Arnold was not the main player responsible for this deal, although he certainly was along for the ride. It makes more sense that Prince would have done business with a company that had a track record.

Come on, WFAA, keep at it! Who knows, there could be another juicy scandal here.

so is this what they offered him or what he demanded? what greedy ass!

electricberet said:

Looking at the blurry images of the contract, you can see "Meridian Entertainment Group" at the top. That is also the company whose name is listed next to the charge on my credit card. It seems to be a Michigan-based company that puts on other concerts:

http://www.capitalgainsme...g0411.aspx

Of course, we still don't have much to go on. But I'm becoming more suspicious that Chris Arnold was not the main player responsible for this deal, although he certainly was along for the ride. It makes more sense that Prince would have done business with a company that had a track record.

Come on, WFAA, keep at it! Who knows, there could be another juicy scandal here.

Thanks for posting the links!

I hope you get your money refunded soon.

CallMeCarrie said:

electricberet said:

Looking at the blurry images of the contract, you can see "Meridian Entertainment Group" at the top. That is also the company whose name is listed next to the charge on my credit card. It seems to be a Michigan-based company that puts on other concerts:

http://www.capitalgainsme...g0411.aspx

Of course, we still don't have much to go on. But I'm becoming more suspicious that Chris Arnold was not the main player responsible for this deal, although he certainly was along for the ride. It makes more sense that Prince would have done business with a company that had a track record.

Come on, WFAA, keep at it! Who knows, there could be another juicy scandal here.

Thanks for posting the links!

I hope you get your money refunded soon.

Thanks! Me too. And thank you again for letting us know that the concert really was cancelled.

Hope you guys get a refund

purplemookiebut said:

so is this what they offered him or what he demanded? what greedy ass!

Why is he a greedy ass for getting his normal salary? The venue wanted to get paid, his band & crew need to get paid, the other workers involved were getting paid, why shouldn't Prince? Reports stated that only a very small portion of proceeds were going to charity.

I don't think you can call him greedy when he just donated 1.5 million, plus all the other non-publicized donations he makes. He can't donate money if he doesn't make it.

Did anyone actually read the contract? A pdf. version of it is included here:

http://www.wfaa.com/enter...93539.html

It's in the "related section" just to the right of the article.

I found this part to be the MOST interesting of it all:

[img:$uid]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e70/SexyBeautifulOne/cancellationclause.jpg[/img:$uid]

It appears that the organizers couldn't cancel the event. Had they...they'd have still been obligated to pay Prince...in full...and any deposits already paid to Prince would have been forfeited. So it appears that the only one that could cancel was Prince himself.

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

Did anyone actually read the contract? A pdf. version of it is included here:

http://www.wfaa.com/enter...93539.html

It's in the "related section" just to the right of the article.

I found this part to be the MOST interesting of it all:

[img:$uid]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e70/SexyBeautifulOne/cancellationclause.jpg[/img:$uid]

It appears that the organizers couldn't cancel the event. Had they...they'd have still been obligated to pay Prince...in full...and any deposits already paid to Prince would have been forfeited. So it appears that the only one that could cancel was Prince himself.

Good point. I did read the contract and have a few other comments in the main thread:

http://prince.org/msg/7/352263

Completely off topic but your CNN comment was dead on! So true and so sad how far they've fallen - I used to be addicted.

electricberet said:

By the way, for those of you who don't know, it was WFAA-TV that exposed the slush fund scandal that brought down the SMU football team in the 1980s and ultimately implicated the governor of Texas. It was quite brave of them at the time given how many powerful local people were involved. Not that this is anything like that, but it's reassuring that local media still have investigative journalists on staff who try to get to the bottom of things. If CNN was covering this story, they'd be surfing Twitter and Facebook and asking the viewers to call in with any tips.

That language, "unless the cancellation is due to the Artist's sole default without cause," is very interesting. Given the weather situation, if the event had been cancelled and few tickets sold, it would have been impossible for the organizers to argue that it was due to Prince's sole default. Seems like Prince would have had an incentive to keep everyone waiting (to see if they could come up with his money) and no incentive to cancel, or at least no financial incentive.

Of course, we have to keep in mind that the document posted by WFAA was not the final signed contract. I wonder how WFAA got a copy of this version--maybe from the lawyer who was interviewed in their earlier segment.

[Edited 2/10/11 11:17am]

NYCWatch said:

Completely off topic but your CNN comment was dead on! So true and so sad how far they've fallen - I used to be addicted.

electricberet said:

By the way, for those of you who don't know, it was WFAA-TV that exposed the slush fund scandal that brought down the SMU football team in the 1980s and ultimately implicated the governor of Texas. It was quite brave of them at the time given how many powerful local people were involved. Not that this is anything like that, but it's reassuring that local media still have investigative journalists on staff who try to get to the bottom of things. If CNN was covering this story, they'd be surfing Twitter and Facebook and asking the viewers to call in with any tips.

Yes, it's off topic, but I'm watching the Egypt protests on Al Jazeera right now because all the American channels have dropped the ball. I wonder whether Prince is watching what's going on in Egypt. He seems to have an interest in the place: Crown Princess of Cairo and all that. Maybe he could announce a special private concert for Hosni Mubarak as his next charity gig. He could hold it in some other country and get Mubarak to leave that way.

[Edited 2/10/11 11:19am]

electricberet said:

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

Did anyone actually read the contract? A pdf. version of it is included here:

http://www.wfaa.com/enter...93539.html

It's in the "related section" just to the right of the article.

I found this part to be the MOST interesting of it all:

[img:$uid]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e70/SexyBeautifulOne/cancellationclause.jpg[/img:$uid]

It appears that the organizers couldn't cancel the event. Had they...they'd have still been obligated to pay Prince...in full...and any deposits already paid to Prince would have been forfeited. So it appears that the only one that could cancel was Prince himself.

Good point. I did read the contract and have a few other comments in the main thread:

http://prince.org/msg/7/352263

I found this interesting, also:

[img:$uid]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e70/SexyBeautifulOne/payment.jpg[/img:$uid]

10% upon written confirmation and another 40% due 30 days prior...which would have been January 4, 2011.

So I'm guessing that Prince actually received approx. 50% of the money since he didn't cancel in January. That would be about approx. $750,000.

The major investors "supposedly" didn't pull out until after that money would have already been paid. So the only reason I can see for them possibly doing so at that point...would be if they didn't see the sales...giving them a return on their investment.

I don't think this mess is over by a long shot!

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

electricberet said:

Good point. I did read the contract and have a few other comments in the main thread:

http://prince.org/msg/7/352263

I found this interesting, also:

[img:$uid]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e70/SexyBeautifulOne/payment.jpg[/img:$uid]

10% upon written confirmation and another 40% due 30 days prior...which would have been January 4, 2011.

So I'm guessing that Prince actually received approx. 50% of the money since he didn't cancel in January. That would be about approx. $750,000.

The major investors "supposedly" didn't pull out until after that money would have already been paid. So the only reason I can see for them possibly doing so at that point...would be if they didn't see the sales...giving them a return on their investment.

I don't think this mess is over by a long shot!

Stop talking about this contract and Prince! This is a story about the organizers and Chris Arnold. Shame on WFAA for talking about Prince. Also, you are speculating here! It could be that Prince got no money and decided to come and play anyway because he is such a wonderful guy. If only he had made it to Dallas... Prince is the real victim here, not the people who are waiting for their refunds. On behalf of the ticketholders, I apologize to Prince for any emotional turmoil that this has caused him.

Just thought I would save others the time of making these comments.

electricberet said:

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

I found this interesting, also:

[img:$uid]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e70/SexyBeautifulOne/payment.jpg[/img:$uid]

10% upon written confirmation and another 40% due 30 days prior...which would have been January 4, 2011.

So I'm guessing that Prince actually received approx. 50% of the money since he didn't cancel in January. That would be about approx. $750,000.

The major investors "supposedly" didn't pull out until after that money would have already been paid. So the only reason I can see for them possibly doing so at that point...would be if they didn't see the sales...giving them a return on their investment.

I don't think this mess is over by a long shot!

Stop talking about this contract and Prince! This is a story about the organizers and Chris Arnold. Shame on WFAA for talking about Prince. Also, you are speculating here! It could be that Prince got no money and decided to come and play anyway because he is such a wonderful guy. If only he had made it to Dallas... Prince is the real victim here, not the people who are waiting for their refunds. On behalf of the ticketholders, I apologize to Prince for any emotional turmoil that this has caused him.

Just thought I would save others the time of making these comments.

My bad! I forgot where I was.

electricberet said:

That language, "unless the cancellation is due to the Artist's sole default without cause," is very interesting. Given the weather situation, if the event had been cancelled and few tickets sold, it would have been impossible for the organizers to argue that it was due to Prince's sole default. Seems like Prince would have had an incentive to keep everyone waiting (to see if they could come up with his money) and no incentive to cancel, or at least no financial incentive.

Of course, we have to keep in mind that the document posted by WFAA was not the final signed contract. I wonder how WFAA got a copy of this version--maybe from the lawyer who was interviewed in their earlier segment.

[Edited 2/10/11 11:17am]

that is very close to my reaction to that clause. So basically if Prince can show that the shows cancellation was anyone other than his own cause--however slight-- he may well still get paid or rather be legally entitled to full payment.

More reporting from Pegasus News:

http://www.pegasusnews.co...illion-pay

Here's a nice quote from Chris Arnold:

"No one is at fault. The only fault anybody had was that nobody wanted to stop moving forward and try to get it done."

One of those unfortunate things that no one can control. The Event just had to happen, until, well, it didn't.

electricberet said:

More reporting from Pegasus News:

http://www.pegasusnews.co...illion-pay

Here's a nice quote from Chris Arnold:

"No one is at fault. The only fault anybody had was that nobody wanted to stop moving forward and try to get it done."

One of those unfortunate things that no one can control. The Event just had to happen, until, well, it didn't.

If this goes to court (I doubt it will) that statement may cost Mr Arnold $1.5 Million.

I hope they will come up with a show or 2 to make up for this. Maybe a ritzy show (much lower prices) and then a normal show at the AA center.

OnlyNDaUsa said:

electricberet said:

More reporting from Pegasus News:

http://www.pegasusnews.co...illion-pay

Here's a nice quote from Chris Arnold:

"No one is at fault. The only fault anybody had was that nobody wanted to stop moving forward and try to get it done."

One of those unfortunate things that no one can control. The Event just had to happen, until, well, it didn't.

If this goes to court (I doubt it will) that statement may cost Mr Arnold $1.5 Million.

I hope they will come up with a show or 2 to make up for this. Maybe a ritzy show (much lower prices) and then a normal show at the AA center.

My question is, if it's true that Prince is the only one who could have stopped the concert, and he chose not to do so, is he legally obligated to refund whatever portion of his fee he received? Seems like you could make an unjust enrichment argument if nothing else. Apart from the ticketholders, there are likely to be other parties who lost money here, if (as everyone assumes) the River Alexander Group is broke. There's already been a lawsuit brought by the people who didn't get the Super Bowl seats they were promised:

http://www.dallasnews.com...oubles.ece

Lawsuits mean discovery. Discovery means that details people may want to keep private may come to light. Perhaps there will be a quick settlement to keep everyone quiet.

[Edited 2/10/11 12:01pm]

electricberet said:

OnlyNDaUsa said:

If this goes to court (I doubt it will) that statement may cost Mr Arnold $1.5 Million.

I hope they will come up with a show or 2 to make up for this. Maybe a ritzy show (much lower prices) and then a normal show at the AA center.

My question is, if it's true that Prince is the only one who could have stopped the concert, and he chose not to do so, is he legally obligated to refund whatever portion of his fee he received? Seems like you could make an unjust enrichment argument if nothing else. Apart from the ticketholders, there are likely to be other parties who lost money here, if (as everyone assumes) the River Alexander Group is broke. There's already been a lawsuit brought by the people who didn't get the Super Bowl seats they were promised:

http://www.dallasnews.com...oubles.ece

Lawsuits mean discovery. Discovery means that details people may want to keep private may come to light. Perhaps there will be a quick settlement to keep everyone quiet.

[Edited 2/10/11 12:01pm]

Good points. And it goes back to the cluse you picked up on. As long as Prince can show that the show was cancled for any reason--however slight-- than his own, Prince wins.

But like I said I doubt it will go to court.

irinact said:

jpnyc said:

People are crazy if they still think Prince screwed the pooch now that we know what he was going to get paid for that set!

Prince would probably donate that money to the charities of his choice anyway.

eireboy34 said:

irinact said:

Prince would probably donate that money to the charities of his choice anyway.

Since $3000 of that money is mine, I'd rather have it go to charities of my choice.

OnlyNDaUsa said:

electricberet said:

My question is, if it's true that Prince is the only one who could have stopped the concert, and he chose not to do so, is he legally obligated to refund whatever portion of his fee he received? Seems like you could make an unjust enrichment argument if nothing else. Apart from the ticketholders, there are likely to be other parties who lost money here, if (as everyone assumes) the River Alexander Group is broke. There's already been a lawsuit brought by the people who didn't get the Super Bowl seats they were promised:

http://www.dallasnews.com...oubles.ece

Lawsuits mean discovery. Discovery means that details people may want to keep private may come to light. Perhaps there will be a quick settlement to keep everyone quiet.

[Edited 2/10/11 12:01pm]

Good points. And it goes back to the cluse you picked up on. As long as Prince can show that the show was cancled for any reason--however slight-- than his own, Prince wins.

But like I said I doubt it will go to court.

I doubt it will go to court either because the potential public relations fallout for the performers and the foundation is too great. There are a lot of conflicting statements out there and they can't all be true. If Prince really was sitting in the limo waiting for his money, that is not the kind of story he wants to come out right now. But that doesn't mean someone won't file a lawsuit.

electricberet said:

eireboy34 said:

Since $3000 of that money is mine, I'd rather have it go to charities of my choice.

You know I forgot, but I saw the break down of what was considered to be a charitable deduction and it was a small portion of the ticket price. Commonly it is not what goes to the charity but the cost - the FMV.