The Ozzy Osbourne-AEG lawsuit is over, but the war of words is raging on … – Variety

Earlier this month, the legal battle between Ozzy Osbourne and AEG officially ended when the singer's lawyer agreed to file a lawsuit against the live entertainment giant following its booking policy.

The policy required that artists playing at London's O2 Arena also perform at Staples Center in Los Angeles, both controlled by AEG; the trial, which was dismissed with prejudice, was in many ways a parallel battle in the long-standing war between AEG and Azoff-MSG, owner of the Forum, Staples' main competitor in the Los Angeles area. AEG leader Jay Marciano said the policy, which began in July 2017, was implemented in response to a similar political connection involving Madison Square Garden and the Forum; Irving Azoff said such a policy was not in place at his company's sites; Legal wrangling and statements made in an aggressive manner to the press ensued.

After telling Variety A few days earlier, at the end of the block booking requirement, "Osbourne's lawyer, Dan Wall, had filed papers to drop the lawsuit Friday. This decision sparked a response on Saturday from an anonymous AEG spokesman who described the win situation for the company owned by Philip Anschutz and alleged that Osbourne's lawsuit had been "initiated by Azoff and paid for by MSG and [Osbourne tour promoter] Live Nation. "

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While neither Wall, Osbourne, Azoff, nor Live Nation first responded to AEG's statement, Osbourne manager Sharon Osbourne went on the rampage on Tuesday. His statement follows entirely; Saturday's AEG statement follows in detail below.

Statement by Sharon Osbourne:

"We know Mr. Anshultz [sic] (aka Daddy Big Bucks) lives in his billionaire bubble, but the fact is that Ozzy sued AEG for the right to perform at the O2 in London. We won the case and Ozzy's O2 show went on sale on September 5th for a show next year (February 11, 2019). Ozzy plays O2 without having to play at Staples Center, that's all that matters to us. Since the beginning of this dialogue in February, it is a struggle for respect for artists and their personal preferences. It was not then and it is not now a battle between the promoters. This is what AEG's recent statement claims is a "victory".

"To say that this lawsuit was initiated by Azoff and paid for by MSG and Live Nation" and that "this was created on the back of an artist who, in our opinion, has no idea what it is. He was biting "is wrong and disrespectful to Ozzy, to myself and to all the team working on this tour. Whatever differences you have with Irving Azoff, do not assume that you know who initiated the lawsuit or know anything about Ozzy Osbourne, because you obviously do not know anything about the story of Ozzy or from mine. So stop with your husband, Bubbuldy BULLSH- and your little contest with Live Nation and MSG.

"With regard to the allegations in AEG's statement that this" pursuit was a transparent public relations ploy ", if that was indeed the case, why then did AEG precipitate a declaration of victory? that we, throughout this process, until now, we have only made one statement regarding the initial filing.

"Ozzy's preference was to play the Forum, a place that has been part of his musical history for more than 46 years. From the beginning, it was not a battle for Ozzy, but for other artists who had to abide by these rules and regulations. Do not forget all why you are here … the artists.

"The only thing that's very interesting in your statement was your pitiful attempt at humor with your quote, that Ozzy had no idea what he was biting in. If you're interested, Ozzy and I have something good a – holes … we are losing!

AEG's September 22nd statement regarding the dismissal of Osbourne's class action against AEG:

"On Friday, Ozzy Osbourne rejected the class action he brought against AEG. This dismissal with prejudice is a victory for AEG. We were quite ready to see the case to defend our policy, but now that Osbourne has decided to fire with prejudice, the case is over.

"Our policy was an appropriate, lawful and effective competitive response to Irving Azoff's lobbying tactics to force artists to participate in the Forum. If these tactics resurface, we will redeploy our policy as needed.

"The Osbourne costume was initiated by Azoff and paid for by MSG and Live Nation. It was hatched on the back of an artist who, in our opinion, had no idea what he was biting. The complaint was a transparent public relations ploy that failed to pressure AEG to abandon a booking policy that is an effective competitive response at the MSG-Forum meeting.

"Once AEG has refused to go back, it is not surprising that Azoff, MSG and Live Nation are eager to file the case as quickly as possible. They dismissed the case after realizing that AEG would aggressively defend it, cost them tens of millions of dollars, and be a source of embarrassment once their dubious tactics were revealed during the discovery and trial. .