Talent Agency, Venture IAB Inc., filed suit against A&E Television Networks LLC, claiming they signed on to represent the cast of The History Channel’s hit reality show “Pawn Stars” back in 2007, but were wrongfully terminated soon after the show aired in 2009.
The main issue at hand involves the representation agreements between Venture IAB and The Harrison Family (Corey Harrison, Rick Harrison, Richard Harrison) and Austin “Chumlee” Russell, who operate the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas. Venture IAB claims that they were representing The Harrison Family and Russell before the stars made it big.
According to Venture IAB’s complaint, Venture IAB was to receive 10 percent of all compensation received by The Harrison Family and Russell from their appearances on the show. However, after the show aired, two “Pawn Star” executives convinced the cast to terminate the agency’s agreements with Venture IAB and sign new contracts. In early 2010, less than a year after the show premiered on The History Channel, the network’s top executive Nancy Dubuc and development and programming vice president Mary Donahue “intentionally interfered with the Agency Agreements by inducing the Harrisons, Golden State Pawn Stars, and Russell to terminate the [Venture IAB] agreement,” according to the complaint. Further, Venture IAB alleges that the reason for Dubuc’s and Donahue’s behavior is so their friend and agent, Michael Camacho of UTA, could take over as their agent.
Venture claims that the Agency switch resulted in a loss of income in the amount of $5 million. Accordingly, Venture IAB is suing for the $5 million in compensatory damages, along with punitive damages.
‘Pawn Stars’ Lawsuit Claims Agent Stole Clients and History Channel Execs Helped