- 9 -
for (1) 25 percent of the commissions received by UTA from
package fees or profits (or advances on profits) from
petitioner’s clients’ projects which were booked or being
negotiated by UTA while petitioner was at UTA or were payable
under the terms of agency agreements signed by petitioner’s
clients while he was at UTA, and (2) all revenue, not just
package fees and profits, on Conan O’Brien’s deal for “Late Night
With Conan O’Brien” (altogether, the back-end payments).5
Additionally, petitioner agreed that his bonus would be at UTA’s
discretion and would be based upon his performance, his attitude,
and the performance of UTA. Except as expressly modified
therein, the terms of the employment agreement remained in
effect.
Petitioner’s Relationship With UTA
Petitioner’s interaction with UTA’s management committee,
partners,6 agents, assistants, and employees often was
confrontational. Petitioner was tough on, and demanding of,
other agents and assistants. During his employment at UTA,
petitioner prided himself in being brash, outspoken, and
5 The May 1995 amendment provides examples including “25%
of * * * the commissions received from Larry David’s ‘Seinfeld’
profits”.
6 The witnesses used the words “principals” and “partners”
with regard to UTA interchangeably. For convenience, we do so as
well. The title “partner” at a talent agency does not
necessarily mean that this person has an ownership interest in
the agency.
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011