Howie_Ds_Lady
Aug 6th, 2003, 12:19 PM
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Studdard paid, 205 Flava says
08/05/03
MARIE A. JONES
News staff writer
The owners of 205 Flava Inc. came out swinging Monday against the Velvet Teddy Bear.
Brothers Willie and Frederick Jenkins said they paid "American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard to wear their jerseys, giving him weekly checks and cash payments in a secret deal Studdard initiated.
Dressed in business attire and not their usual 205 jerseys, the men and their attorney, LaVeeda Morgan Battle, spoke at the law offices of Emond Vines Gorham & Waldrep.
Battle spoke on behalf of the brothers, who are named in a lawsuit filed by Studdard accusing the brothers of exploiting his image and gaining at least $2 million in profits.
Studdard said Monday he could not comment on the Jenkins' allegations. Studdard's lawyer, Byron Perkins, also declined to comment about the Flava press conference.
"The public will hear from us soon," Perkins said.
Studdard approached the brothers around March about being paid for wearing the 205 jerseys on the "American Idol" show, Battle said.
Studdard allegedly asked to be paid $1,000 a week, Battle said. He specified that the checks be made out to his brother, Kevin, so the Fox show wouldn't find out about the deal.
Studdard was not permitted to enter into any contracts while appearing on "American Idol," said Michael Jaffa, vice president of business and legal affairs for American Idol Productions, Inc. "It was just that we have major sponsors like Old Navy," Jaffa said. "There were issues promoting a brand in competition with our sponsors."
Studdard told the Jenkins brothers to "keep this confidential," Battle said.
"It was agreed that we would pay him," Willie Jenkins told The Birmingham News in a June interview. "When he wore the clothing, we paid him."
Battle said the men gave Kevin Studdard several $1,000 checks, bumping it up to $1,500 a week after Ruben Studdard asked for more money.
The Jenkins' attorney showed copies of $10,000 in checks on Monday. Eight of them were written to Kevin Studdard and one written to Ron Edwards, Ruben Studdard's manager.
"The payments were made as full and fair compensation," Battle said.
Studdard's lawsuit, filed July 30, says that it was his idea to print 205 in large numbers across the jerseys. Battle said the shirts already had the area code emblazoned with large numbers across the front before Studdard ever wore them.
Studdard's lawsuit also says that the men weren't authorized to use his image to promote their jerseys. Studdard's picture was posted on 205 Flava's Web site until Friday. The men didn't remove the image immediately because they were hoping to work out something with Studdard's management, Battle said.
Business at the 205 Flava store has been hurt, Battle said.
"There's been a dip," she said. "There's no question about it."
News staff writers Chanda Temple and Sherri C. Goodman contributed to this article.
What do you guys think? I personally am not surprised....Ruben's an ass....he says he loves his fans, but doesn't want to give them the time of day when they're around!
Studdard paid, 205 Flava says
08/05/03
MARIE A. JONES
News staff writer
The owners of 205 Flava Inc. came out swinging Monday against the Velvet Teddy Bear.
Brothers Willie and Frederick Jenkins said they paid "American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard to wear their jerseys, giving him weekly checks and cash payments in a secret deal Studdard initiated.
Dressed in business attire and not their usual 205 jerseys, the men and their attorney, LaVeeda Morgan Battle, spoke at the law offices of Emond Vines Gorham & Waldrep.
Battle spoke on behalf of the brothers, who are named in a lawsuit filed by Studdard accusing the brothers of exploiting his image and gaining at least $2 million in profits.
Studdard said Monday he could not comment on the Jenkins' allegations. Studdard's lawyer, Byron Perkins, also declined to comment about the Flava press conference.
"The public will hear from us soon," Perkins said.
Studdard approached the brothers around March about being paid for wearing the 205 jerseys on the "American Idol" show, Battle said.
Studdard allegedly asked to be paid $1,000 a week, Battle said. He specified that the checks be made out to his brother, Kevin, so the Fox show wouldn't find out about the deal.
Studdard was not permitted to enter into any contracts while appearing on "American Idol," said Michael Jaffa, vice president of business and legal affairs for American Idol Productions, Inc. "It was just that we have major sponsors like Old Navy," Jaffa said. "There were issues promoting a brand in competition with our sponsors."
Studdard told the Jenkins brothers to "keep this confidential," Battle said.
"It was agreed that we would pay him," Willie Jenkins told The Birmingham News in a June interview. "When he wore the clothing, we paid him."
Battle said the men gave Kevin Studdard several $1,000 checks, bumping it up to $1,500 a week after Ruben Studdard asked for more money.
The Jenkins' attorney showed copies of $10,000 in checks on Monday. Eight of them were written to Kevin Studdard and one written to Ron Edwards, Ruben Studdard's manager.
"The payments were made as full and fair compensation," Battle said.
Studdard's lawsuit, filed July 30, says that it was his idea to print 205 in large numbers across the jerseys. Battle said the shirts already had the area code emblazoned with large numbers across the front before Studdard ever wore them.
Studdard's lawsuit also says that the men weren't authorized to use his image to promote their jerseys. Studdard's picture was posted on 205 Flava's Web site until Friday. The men didn't remove the image immediately because they were hoping to work out something with Studdard's management, Battle said.
Business at the 205 Flava store has been hurt, Battle said.
"There's been a dip," she said. "There's no question about it."
News staff writers Chanda Temple and Sherri C. Goodman contributed to this article.
What do you guys think? I personally am not surprised....Ruben's an ass....he says he loves his fans, but doesn't want to give them the time of day when they're around!