UTA Accused of Fraud, Breach of Contract by MediaLink CEO Michael Kassan (EXCLUSIVE)

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor The latest twist in the battle between UTA and former MediaLink chairman-CEO Michael Kassan is a defamation lawsuit filed by Kassan against UTA attorney Bryan Freedman. Kassan has sued Freedman for slander and libel stemming from a statement that the lawyer made earlier this week to Deadline, which is a sibling publication to Variety under Penske Media Corp. Kassan and UTA parted ways earlier this month amid a flurry of litigation and arbitration filings and heated accusations from both sides.

In all of the exorbitant fallout from Michael Kassan’s exit from UTA earlier this month even the lawyers are getting shrapnel now.

Michael McIntyre has won the nation's hearts with his cheeky grin and flawless comedic timing.The London comedian, 47, is no stranger to fame as he has been entertaining audiences across the UK for 15 years and even earned the title of highest-grossing stand up comedian in the world back in 2012. Recently, he's been entertaining us on Saturday nights with his star-studded show, The Wheel, which is full of laughs for all ages. But what does Michael do when he's not making us giggle? Let's take a peek at his life off stage...

Cuba Gooding Jr. is facing more legal trouble. According to People, the 56-year-old a

EXCLUSIVE: Michael Kassan‘s team promised late last week they would up the legal ante with UTA unless the agency completely dropped its lawsuit against the resigned/fired (depending on who you ask) MediaLink CEO, and today they did just that.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Hit faith-based drama “The Chosen,” which just launched its fourth season in theaters via a partnership with Fathom Events, is already prepping the start of production for Season 5 next month. Variety has confirmed that cameras will begin rolling on “The Chosen” Season 5 in Utah starting April 11; the series will shoot there for six weeks before shifting to the show’s home base in Texas for the remainder of the production. “The Chosen” has been mapped out as a seven-season series; for Season 5, the show will pick up where Season 4 left off, during Holy Week before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

EXCLUSIVE: If you thought the multi-million-dollar war of words and legal filings between UTA and former Medialink CEO Michael Kassan had been bare knuckles before, you ain’t seen nuthin’ yet.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer United Talent Agency has amended its lawsuit against former MediaLink chief Michael Kassan — striking its initial claims against its former partner to move those grievances to arbitration. The amended complaint offers new details of allegations of financial mismanagement against the advertising industry’s famous matchmaker and fixer, who blasts the litigation in a statement to Variety as a “smear” effort.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer Joana Vicente has stepped down as CEO of the Sundance Institute. The news will come as a shock to the global independent film community, as Vicente served under three years in a plum role she took after years in leadership at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Michael Eisner, the former Disney CEO who exited the company in 2005, is the latest member of the extended Disneyverse to weigh in with support for current chief exec Bob Iger, who’s facing a proxy fight with activist investors including Nelson Peltz in a vote for board candidates at Disney’s April 3 annual shareholders meeting. “[I]n 1983, Disney was under attack by corporate raiders trying to take over the company,” Eisner wrote in a post on X, referring to the unsuccessful attempt by financier Saul Steinberg to stage a hostile takeover of the company.

Anti-Flag frontman Justin Sane has been accused of planning to “flee to Europe” following allegations of sexual misconduct.Accusations against the singer – real name Justin Geever – came to light last year, when Kristina Sarhadi, a New York holistic therapist and health coach, filed a lawsuit against him.In the filing, Sarhadi said: “Justin Geever used his platform as a celebrated, self-proclaimed ‘punk rock star’ to groom and lure vulnerable girls into feeling safe in his presence.”“While he sang about protecting women and standing up to abusers, it appears he was hiding an addiction to power and control, harming countless women who have been unable to speak up before now.

The upcoming sports streaming service from ESPN, Fox & Warner Bros. Discovery has found its boss.

Loose Women star Coleen Nolan, who celebrated her 59th birthday yesterday, has faced numerous ups and downs. Both she and her sons have experienced their fair share of challenges.

EXCLUSIVE: Amidst allegations of financial impropriety and corporate skullduggery, the collapse of the relationship between UTA and MediaLink founder Michael Kassan now sees the parties battling it out with competing legal actions  and lots of finger pointing – even by Hollywood standards.

Michael Kassan, CEO of MediaLink, the strategic advisory firm acquired by UTA in 2021, is out.

A couple in Utah has been arrested on rape charges, new court docs reveal — and horrifyingly, the alleged victim was their own 15-year-old daughter. Per KSL News, the couple was taken int

Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer recently picked up shares of the company on the open market and vice chair Michael Burns said today he thinks the purchase was spurred by a visit the set of the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic.

EXCLUSIVE: There will be quite a few familiar faces roaming the halls of Willard R. Abbott Elementary in the coming weeks.

EXCLUSIVE: Amazon MGM Studios‘ crime thriller Play Dirty has four new additions: Keegan-Michael Key (Wonka), Nat Wolff (Which Brings Me to You), Chukwudi Iwuji (The Day of the Jackal), and Thomas Jane (Troppo).

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer “Michael,” the splashy forthcoming biopic about Michael Jackson from director Antoine Fuqua, has added actor Laura Harrier in a key role. Harrier, of “BlacKkKlansman” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming” fame, will portray pioneering female music executive Suzanne de Passe in the Lionsgate project. De Passe was a creative assistant to Motown founder Berry Gordy, and is credited with convincing Gordy to sign The Jackson 5 to his label.