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Posted on 04/05/2012 3:53:49 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The war of words between Keith Olbermann and Current TV is now officially a legal battle, with the fired anchor filing a lawsuit Thursday accusing his former employer of breach of contract, sabotage and disparagement, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.
Read the full complaint here.
According to the 43-page, eight-count complaint, filed Thursday afternoon in Los Angeles Superior Court by attorney Patty Glaser of LA's Glaser Weil firm, Olbermann was terminated without cause a year into his five-year, $50 million contract with the left-leaning TV network. He claims he is owed between $50 million and $70 million in damages based on breach of contract and other causes of action.
"This action is necessary as Current has repeatedly and willfully breached its written agreement with Olbermann, often continuing to do so after receiving specific notices to cure such breaches," states the complaint, filed on behalf of Olbermann and his company Olbermann Broadcasting Empire, Inc.
In a statement provided to THR, Current responds:
"It is well established that over his professional career, Mr. Olbermann has specialized in pounding the table. However, Mr. Olbermann, by filing his false and malicious lawsuit, has now put this matter into a legal process where there will be an objective review of the facts. We hope Mr. Olbermann understands that when it comes to the legal process, he is actually required to show up."
The suit has been anticipated since Current sent Olbermann's representatives a letter March 29 terminating his services. The network co-founded by Gore and Hyatt claims Olbermann was often absent from the job, missing 19 of 41 workdays in January and February. The anchor also allegedly refused to promote other Current shows. Olbermann claims he was provided substandard facilities (the lights allegedly went out in the studio on a couple of occassions) and was forced out even though he's under contract.
Olbermann uses the legal filing to take some shots at Current co-founders Al Gore and Joel Hyatt, as well as Current TV president David Bohrman, who is referred to as a "an individual without relevant experience."
"Current's dysfunction permeated all levels of the organization," the suit claims. After being on the air for nearly eight months--long after all 'growing pains' should have ceased--Current still couldn't manage to, literally, keep the lights on. Since the time Hyatt crowned himself CEO, the [Countdown] program was plaugued by further logistical nightmares, technical failures, and media disasters."
Olbermann also cites the following breaches of his contract:
1. Broadcasting advertisements containing Olbermann's likeness without his consent.
2. Using guest hosts for Olbermann's program without obtaining Olbermann's approval
3. Refusing to allow Olbermann to exercise his contractually granted editorial control over special election coverage.
4. Disclosing the confidential terms of his contract
5. Linking Olbermann's name and goodwill with corporate endorsements without his consent.
6. Ignoring Olbermann's consultation rights.
7. Disparaging Olbermann publically.
8. Refusing to invest resources and hire appropriate personnel in order to professionally and competently produce the program.
Current has paid Olbermann the first installment of his $10 million a year deal. The fight over the rest now will move to the courtroom.
"Well, up to last Thursday I got my money," Olbermann said Tuesday on CBS' Late Show. "The nice judge will decide whether or not I get more of my money."
The suit alleges causes of action for breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and six requests for declaratory relief over claims relating to his contract.
>>5. Linking Olbermann’s name and goodwill with corporate endorsements without his consent.<<
Corporate response: “Good point keith. You owe us an additional $200K for the damage your name caused us and our advertisers.”
When dumb ass liberals collide!
Kieth never had cause to sue Rush, Fox or even Bush!
LMAO!
Go get em kiethy Ubergirl...they have besmirch your good name and your tireless journalistic integrety. eck! I feel like I need a shower.
Hoo-boy, this is gonna be good!
Yeehaw! Let the games begin! This should be good. Two drama queens in a catfight.
The best is when he calls out Al Gore as a crazed sex poodle.
I’m pretty sure that a standard media contract allows a network to use the images as they see fit of those that work for the networks.
I think this may be the last that we see Keith Olbermann.
“You owe us an additional $200K for the damage your name caused us and our advertisers.”
You can’t possibly damage a name not worth mentioning and I didn’t even know they had advertisers.
Can we sue K O for lowering the IQs of everyone who watches his show(s)?
Maybe he and Rosie can get a gig together.
When I first read your post, it looked like “get a pig together” which actually makes sense...
Maybe KO should run for office in Minnesota?
They have a track record for electing public clowns.
Couple of 1%ers going toe-to-toe. With Patty Glaser no less. heh.
“8. Refusing to invest resources and hire appropriate personnel in order to professionally and competently produce the program”
They are trying to do that, but they are having a hard time getting the old guy to go away first
I wish the Thurber estate would sue keith.
He forgot they were supposed to scatter rose petals in his toilet before he took a dump. (Don’t laugh! This was a standard requirement for Babs Streesand’s concert tours.)
Olbermann also cites the following breaches of his contract:
1. Broadcasting advertisements containing Olbermann’s likeness without his consent.
* Ok they should have NOT advertised his show at all then he would have had one less person watching him....
2. Using guest hosts for Olbermann’s program without obtaining Olbermann’s approval
* He should have been “sick” so often...
3. Refusing to allow Olbermann to exercise his contractually granted editorial control over special election coverage.
* My god what a diva blowhard, Liberals will call Glenn Beck a diva, but at least Glenn Beck started his own damn network and didn’t need to hang on to the coattails of Al Bore.
4. Disclosing the confidential terms of his contract
* Maybe a valid point, but should be #1 in the list.
5. Linking Olbermann’s name and goodwill with corporate endorsements without his consent.
* I guess the dumbass didn’t want to get paid... or doesn;t understand HOW TV personalities get paid. i Guess his BS in Communications Majored on the B.S. part.
6. Ignoring Olbermann’s consultation rights.
* Diva (do i need to go into this)
7. Disparaging Olbermann publically.
* Really? Current TV bent over backwards for him after he was booted off of MSNBC.
8. Refusing to invest resources and hire appropriate personnel in order to professionally and competently produce the program.
* You mean like drivers who don’t talk to him. They also must have left a Red M&M in with his bowl of green M&M’s in his dressing room. Lemme guess, they also couldn’t get a 12 year old blonde virgin girl to walk in front of him throwing out rose petals on short notice....
“Olbermann Broadcasting Empire, Inc.”??? I haven’t even reached the name of the Court and I am already ROFLAMO.
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