Despite Loss of Star, Jackson Concert Promoter Expects Profit

New York Times ^ | July 5, 2009 | Ben Sisario and Ana Facio Contreras

[Loyalist]

In the days after Michael Jackson’s death, many music industry analysts speculated that AEG Live, the promoter of Mr. Jackson’s planned concert engagement in London, stood to lose a fortune: It had invested $25 million to $30 million in the shows and would be responsible for up to $85 million in ticket refunds, and the company said that some of its insurance coverage would depend on the cause of Mr. Jackson’s death.

But Randy Phillips, the chief executive of AEG Live, said that because of its rights to film and audio of the concert rehearsals — and its expectation that many people would hold on to their tickets as souvenirs, forgoing a refund — the company might actually make a significant profit.

“For the record, this great company I work for is not bankrupt,” he said, at a press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday. “I’m heartbroken but the company’s fine.”

[Loyalist]

If Jackson were still alive, his health would not have allowed him to perform ten concerts, let alone fifty.

The promoters would have taken a bath as a result.

Now that he's dead, they're rolling in it.

Lots of speculation that Jackson was either killed or allowed to die so that certain vultures around him could pick the carcass clean. They may have been right.

[pepsionice]

I’m of the mind that some folks made a decision last year that Jackson was worthless alive. They rigged the whole last twelve months....to bring him to a conclusion. Everyone ended up in a better position, from the family, to the promoters, to the debt holders.

[RC2]

This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. It’s all about money, not life and death. They will milk Jackson as long as they can. His own family will do everything they can to get as much as they can. I think the courts should take $5 million for each child and put it away for their future. Take the rest of what Jackson had and pay off his debts. But that makes to much sense I guess.

[Joann37]

I can’t make sense of that idiot Dr. Conrad and his story: 1. how he did CPR on the bed and 2. waited about 30 minutes before seeking additional help.

As someone who has called for help on behalf of her mother several times, I can just state that the idea that someone may be near death is just chilling and panic inducing! If you want that person to survive, you call immediately, then try to listen to the operator’s instructions, then wait, run outside and look for the ambulance, and then in some cases call again! Conrad’s actions sure don’t seem as if he was hoping for Jackson to survive (just my opinion, of course).

I sure wouldn’t want that guy near anyone I know!

[catbertz]

I could see that scenario play out. Its more likely that MJ carried out an accidental, unthinking end game that just happens to benefit others.

[Paleo Conservative]

Check out this thread.

Michael Jackson to be buried without his brain
The Mirror ^ | July 5, 2009 | David Gardner
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285900/posts
Posted on 7/5/2009 6:46:38 AM by Loyalist

Michael Jackson played the Scarecrow in The Wiz in 1978. Now, 31 years later he will be burried without his brain. Coincidence? I don't think so.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4th7d_you-cant-win-michael-jackson-the-wi_music

[UCANSEE2]

I was thinking along the same lines.

However, I think that for AEG it was a gamble. Their only (suspicious) involvement was to hire this particular doctor, who was likely the only one who would examine MJ and say he was in good enough health to perform 50 concerts.

They already had the video album in the can, so whether MJ did a few, or all the concerts, they would come out OK.

Maybe MJ was like a tire with a break in the belt. Sooner or later it explodes, if you keep driving it.

Plus, there is much speculation that he ‘self-medicated’ without a Dr’s approval.

[UCANSEE2]

P.S. I would distrust AEG much more, if they had claimed they were on the losing end of MJ’s death.

[OpusatFR]

I’m going to hazard a guess or predict that within 18 months, there will be a Broadway muscial based on Jackson’s life and music and will include his new, unseen songs.

* Sony will be the producer.

[mono]

Jackson death....looks like good career move!

[mono]

If I only had a brain...! My thoughts, too. The Wiz, Scarecrow, no brain.

[WKUHilltopper]

So are they ever gonna bury this guy? Or are they planning to bronze him or stuff him like Lenin?

[myknowledge]

The love of money is the root of all evil...1st Timothy 6:10