Posted on 07/06/2015 12:00:43 PM PDT by Dave346
NEW YORK — Donald Trump “will be taking action against NBC” in an arbitration that both sides have agreed to, his top attorney says.
The attorney, Alan Garten, accused NBC of violating the terms of a contract with the Miss Universe Organization, which Trump and NBCUniversal jointly own.
NBC announced on June 29 that it would be ending its business relationships with Trump — which meant canceling the upcoming telecast of the Miss USA pageant and next year’s telecast of Miss Universe. The decision came amid an outcry over Trump’s offensive descriptions of Mexican immigrants in his presidential campaign launch speech.
Univision, the Spanish language broadcaster, also canceled the pageants. Trump filed suit against Univision on June 30, but has not filed against NBC.
The difference has to do with contractual language.
Garten said in an interview on CNN’s “Reliable Sources” that he believed NBC’s backing away from the pageants is “a clear breach of the provisions of the agreement.” But he also said the agreement to televise the pageants has “an arbitration clause.”
These kinds of clauses are increasingly common in business contracts. The clauses call for disputes between two sides to be settled privately by an arbitrator, rather than in a public hearing.
“We will obviously be following the contract” by seeking arbitration, Garten said. “I think that sort of represents the difference between how we, as an organization, act and how NBC has acted. We follow the contract; they have not.”
Garten also said, contrary to some speculation, “there is no morals clause” in the contract with either network. Such a clause can let a company get out of a contractual obligation if an individual brings embarrassment upon the company.
Garten asserted that companies get into business with Trump knowing that he “draws a lot of media attention and talks straight.”
As for another company that dropped its ties with Trump recently, Macy’s, Garten said “we’re looking at all possible avenues,” including a lawsuit, but declined to comment further.
Garten also suggested that Comcast-owned NBCUniversal may have spoken too soon when it said it was ending its relationship with Trump.
The 50/50 ownership of Miss Universe is still in place, and there’s no plan yet in place to change that.
“We don’t know if it will be broken up,” Garten said. He added, “Certainly, if it requires litigation, then there will be litigation.”
Jeffrey Toobin, CNN’s senior legal analyst, said on “Reliable Sources” that “the only thing that matters in this dispute is what the contract says between NBC and Donald Trump.” And that’s unknowable for the time being.
He called Trump’s demand for $500 million in damages in the Univision lawsuit “silly” but said the apparent lack of a morality clause “does help their case.”
He cautioned that “these sorts of lawsuits almost never go to trial” and predicted some sort of out-of-court resolution between Trump and Univision.
You forgot the word "illegal"
He’s fighting the fight for us.
He said in an interview that “if I can’t sell open borders as a threat to our nation”, he will give up.
Quite profound.
As far as “Apprentice” goes I think NBC was just glad to get rid of it given the low ratings. On the other hand with all the attention Trump is getting the ratings would had to go up. I don’t see how he could run for president and do the show but I’m sure he’d do it if possible.
Glen Beck is ripping Trump a new one. They think it is a big joke as always.
Pray America is waking
He probably could
What was Beck’s reasoning on that?
Fighting with NBC is really really good for a Republican candidate.....
a hoot, and perhaps Biblical......
Could get the donald elected if it gets.juicy enough.
Had to look that one up last week. “The Apprentice” didn’t have low ratings, just lower ratings than previous seasons. Still solid numbers.The MSM is probably pushing that lie too. Was the second highest rated show behind “The Voice.”
He doesn't have anywhere near that kind of money.
I like your version best.
have you seen their ratings? the owners of NBC etc. may GIVE it all to him just to unload it.
No actually I looked it up myself and all the stories from before Trump's announcement seemed pretty gloomy about "Apprentice".
I turned him off, but it sounded like he thinks Trump is a moron and said all Illegals are rapists. Their constant laughing is impossible to listen to.
LoL. NBC could pay for all of Trump’s presidential run and still he could have a profit. Nice decision for NBC clowns.
Yes it can get real good. That is why it is good to stock up on a truckload of popcorn. This election will be HOT!!
True, true... (you racist!)
“The decision came amid an outcry over Trump’s offensive descriptions of Mexican immigrants in his presidential campaign launch speech.”
Just because it may be seen as offensive, doesn’t mean it’s a lie.
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