WWE.com Smackdown Preview
http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2015-1-2/smackdown-five-point-preview-jan-2-2015-26969941
WWE Including New Clause in Performer Contracts
Due to the situations with CM Punk and Alberto Del Rio, the WWE has included a clause in performer contracts that if they are fired for disciplinary reasons that they forfeit all merchandise rights and cannot work in pro wrestling or MMA for one year.
Credit Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Update on the Bunny/Adam Rose Storyline
While the Bunny has been off of TV recently he will return to continue the storyline with Rose soon.
http://wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2015/0101/588143/wwe-hall-of-famer-endorses-seth-rollins/
TNA Performer Re-Signs with the Company
Per John Gaburik, Ethan Carter III has signed a new deal with the company.
http://pwinsider.com/article/90506/another-tna-star-signs-new-deal.html?p=1
And don't forget to vote in the 2nd Round of Place to be Nation's "Greatest Song of the 90's" Tournament. Click on the links below to vote for up to four songs in each bracket:
http://placetobenation.com/greatest-song-of-the-90s-tournament-pool-round-two-group-o/
http://placetobenation.com/greatest-song-of-the-90s-tournament-pool-round-two-group-p/
Also, you can also vote in this week's shoot interview poll if you haven't already. Its been a tight race so make a selection by clicking on the link below:
http://vote.pollcode.com/13144536
http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2015-1-2/smackdown-five-point-preview-jan-2-2015-26969941
WWE Including New Clause in Performer Contracts
Due to the situations with CM Punk and Alberto Del Rio, the WWE has included a clause in performer contracts that if they are fired for disciplinary reasons that they forfeit all merchandise rights and cannot work in pro wrestling or MMA for one year.
Credit Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Update on the Bunny/Adam Rose Storyline
While the Bunny has been off of TV recently he will return to continue the storyline with Rose soon.
http://wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2015/0101/588143/wwe-hall-of-famer-endorses-seth-rollins/
TNA Performer Re-Signs with the Company
Per John Gaburik, Ethan Carter III has signed a new deal with the company.
http://pwinsider.com/article/90506/another-tna-star-signs-new-deal.html?p=1
And don't forget to vote in the 2nd Round of Place to be Nation's "Greatest Song of the 90's" Tournament. Click on the links below to vote for up to four songs in each bracket:
http://placetobenation.com/greatest-song-of-the-90s-tournament-pool-round-two-group-o/
http://placetobenation.com/greatest-song-of-the-90s-tournament-pool-round-two-group-p/
Also, you can also vote in this week's shoot interview poll if you haven't already. Its been a tight race so make a selection by clicking on the link below:
http://vote.pollcode.com/13144536
Wow. That contract clause definitely falls under the "We're the only game in town, so you'll sign this and like it" mode of thinking.
ReplyDeleteProbably won't cost the E much in terms of talent, but it's a spiteful and dickish thing to do.
Just like with Punk, if the performer hires an attorney, those clauses won't stick. Until they start calling them "employees" and give them health benefits, no court in the country is going to stop an independent contractor from making money elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteHey, look at that. Daily update up early. Way to go, sir.
ReplyDeleteBAY-LESS! BAY-LESS! BAY-LESS!
Don't cheer him too much. He'll get a big head and think he deserves two houses or something.
ReplyDeleteGiven that any performer can be fired for any arbitrary reason, what's to stop WWE falling behind with merchandise payments for a couple of months and then firing a talent?
ReplyDeleteand a dog that is not plagued by misfortune.
ReplyDeleteI feel like any competent lawyer would have a field day tearing apart a WWE contract.
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely ridiculous that they can't work for another company for another year.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry; clearly, you are not familiar with the operations of the wrestling business. Wrestlers are lucky they're not required by contract to blow creative.
ReplyDeleteDitto everyone else. That clause sounds like complete bullshit. They refuse to call themselves wrestling unless it serves the purpose of fucking someone over
ReplyDeleteI'd like to think this is true and I'm no expert on the law or anything but once a contract is signed after the terms (no matter how unfair) have been made abundantly clear, isn't that contract binding no matter what?
ReplyDeleteGood for TNA. EC3 is exactly the kind of young non-WWE guy they should lock up. (I know he was on NXT, but that's like thinking of Triple H as a WCW guy).
ReplyDeletePretty much all of this. I had the same thought as you and Mr. Indeed when I read the update.
ReplyDeleteNot sure Del Rio is thrown in there. There isn't a single person on the face of the earth who is buying tickets to see Alberto Del Rio.
ReplyDeleteIt could still be challenged in court.
ReplyDeleteWhat dave said.
ReplyDeleteSo if a wrestler has no skills other than wrestling WWE can prevent them from earning a living for a whole year? That's bullshit and unenforceable.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly the point and it's why it would likely get thrown out if challenged in court. You can't say someone is an at-will employee then turn around and tell them they can't work if they are fired. It's the most laughably stupid clause I've ever heard.
ReplyDelete"Mr. Indeed"
ReplyDeleteI could get used to this.
Not if said terms are illegal in some manner. And as DD said, if someone's willing to challenge it in court. Which carries its own set of issues. (Jurisdiction, Lawyer's fees, Future employment, etc...)
ReplyDeleteActually, you can. If a company asks you to sign a non-compete agreement while you're living in a right-to-work state, that's pretty much what they're doing.
ReplyDeleteI think it's horrible, and it shows an unbelievable pettiness on the part of WWE, but companies are constantly getting away with shit like that.
That clause is iilegal as Hell and would never stand up in a court of law.
ReplyDeletean illegal contract or illegal contract terms are still illegal even if someone is stupid enough to sign it.
ReplyDeleteIt's shit like those contract clauses that make me feel like actively rooting against WWE. It's difficult to stay a fan when you know of their disgusting practices.
ReplyDeleteI love how Punk is mentioned as leaving for "disciplinary" reasons. Now I know Punk continues to insist he was fired and didn't quit, but this opens up a huge can of worms. WWE can demand someone work with an injury and when they don't, fire them for "disciplinary" problems, refusing to pay money owed.
ReplyDeleteBeyond that, I've never heard of any company or business where you can forfeit money owed by being fired. You work for Target for two hours, get caught stealing while fucking a customer in the toy aisle, they still have to hand you two hours of pay on the way out the door. In no way can you take away money already earned. This clause is so ludicrous it makes me wonder how truthful the report is. Even WWE and McDevitt can't be stupid enough to try and enforce this one.
No. A contract considered to be illegal is not binding, and pretty much anything can be challenged. It's part of why we have a legal system.
ReplyDeleteWell, I didn't say Matt because you both have the same first name. I was going to say "that idiot," but I didn't think that was specific enough.
ReplyDeleteheh.
non-compete clauses are a thing. However WWE has three issues. First, they call them independent contractors. You can't put a non-compete on a contracted employee. Second, MMA isn't wrestling. Doubt that would stand up as a valid non-compete since it is a different industry. Third, regardless of the non-compete issue there is no way that you can withhold money already earned for any reason. Doesn't matter if the wrestler fucked LInda McMahon while Stephanie watched. All employment law says that if you earned it, you get it, regardless of exit circumstances.
ReplyDeleteThere has to be some sort of dressing room revolt over this,there just absolutely has to.The talent cannot take this lying down.
ReplyDelete"Even WWE and McDevitt can't be stupid enough to try and enforce this one."
ReplyDeleteHAHAHA! Wait... you're serious, aren't you?
I would think they MIGHT have a shot on merchandise, especially if it's something like Punk's case where there was 6 months between him leaving and the "official" end of the contract. But they're lawyer's as competent as their doctor if they think the non-compete will hold up.
ReplyDeleteIt's worse than that, they won't even call them at will employees. They pretend that they're independent contractors, even though they meet none of the 20 plus guidelines the IRS has set up to legally define what an independent contractor is.
ReplyDeleteBut I guess if they're to scared to unionize, they'll get whatever the WWE sees fit to give them
I am. I know Vince and WWE think they are above the law (and why not, they have been allowed to get away with the Independent contractor thing for years) but there is no business in this country that is allowed to not pay money owed, no matter whether the person engaged in criminal activity on the way out or not. Yes you may be required to pay restitution, but beyond that, if you work, you get paid no matter the circumstances of the exit. That is such a basic legal principle that I find it ludicrous that WWE would try to enforce it, or even try to scare employees.
ReplyDeleteThey'll try. They'll fail. They'll pay everybody's costs. They're idiots.
ReplyDeleteNo chance in hell. That locker room is fucking WHIPPED, otherwise Punk would have had friends walking out the door with him, Cesaro would have asked for his release either the night of or the next morning after the McMahon podcast, and WWE would be in the courtroom constantly, seeing their "standard contract" ripped to shreds one lawsuit at a time.
ReplyDeleteI thought WWE and UFC weren't competitors, that was always Vince's line as WWE got killed every month on PPV. How they feel they can enforce people not being able to work in other businesses is beyond me. That they would introduce such a clause at a time when there aren't any other serious wrestling organizations in the US says a lot. They're just a nasty corporation.
ReplyDeleteDo wrestlers even have agents? I don't mean guys working for the company, real agents like other sports figures have?
ReplyDeleteWas just listening to Jericho podcast previewing the Bischoff/Prichard debate thing they're doing in Philly this month.
ReplyDeleteThere was something interesting they dropped in it that I wonder about. Bischoff said Randy Savage brought his Slim Jim deal and the entire sponsorship to WCW when he left the WWF and that it was so lucrative of a deal that it basically paid for Savage himself. Prichard basically said Savage more or less stole it from the WWF. He said they had negotiated it for Randy, that they had set it up for him with their legal people and more or less made it sound like this was supposed to be a crown jewel sponsor for company.
So putting things together, if I recall correctly, Savage pretty much left with no notice after promising Vince that he wouldn't and Vince grooming him to be one of his chief backstage hands.
So is the blackballing of Savage basically:
1) Savage told Vince one thing and did another
2) Vince felt burned by having trusted Savage more than he's trusted most wrestlers.
3) Savage, at least in Vince's opinion, stole the Slim Jim deal which cost Vince a hefty hefty sum of money.
That seems to make more sense than the statutory rape story which no one will corroborate. Vince will forgive a lot of things but intentionally screwing him over while simultaneously taking money out of his pocket is a bridge too far.
And really the only other guy who did exactly that to him was Jeff Jarrett, and Jarrett is dead to the company as well.
Just hit me that I (and some others) may be reading "merchandise rights" incorrectly. What makes more sense is that WWE can sell leftover Punk merchandise or Del Rio merchandise AFTER they were fired, and then not pay them for that merchandise. However up to that point, any money on merchandise would have to be paid. That would make more sense and the term "merchandise rights" makes me think that I was being too simplistic in thinking that it was all moneys owed on merchandise. That said, the issue wth Punk is that he has his own name.
ReplyDelete"That idiot, Mr. Indeed."
ReplyDeleteI still like it.
Surely there has to be a boiling point,I mean how much more of this shit can they take?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I remember Bam Bam Bigelow in some Slim Jim commercials sometime in 1995, how did that come about?
ReplyDeleteSavage didn't steal it. Savage nurtured that deal by showing up at events like Nascar. The slim jim guys LOVED Randy. Vince and the WWE didn't nurture the deal according to sources. Savage cultivated it and made it his own. Without Savage, by that point there would have been no Slim Jim Deal.
ReplyDeleteIt's probably as close to the truth as anyone will get, barring Zombie Randy Savage coming out of the grave to do a shoot that consists of more than just him saying "BRAINS!"
ReplyDeleteAlthough Jarrett isn't as dead as he used to be, I do remember Vince sending his condolences when Jeff's first wife died.
Apparently a lot.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying I think he stole, I'm just saying that may be Vince's/the WWE perspective on it.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I don't remember. I believe Bischoff said Randy coming costed them the sponsorship, but I don't know if there was overlap, or a time frame, or maybe the Bigelow ones are from before Randy left.
ReplyDeleteThe MMA thing is the weirdest bit to me. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if anyone brought this to court, wouldn't the WWE have to prove that the UFC or whatever is direct competition to the WWE?
ReplyDeleteWell there might have been an agreement that WWE could use his name when it comes to merchandise, and that could still be in effect after his departure I suppose. I just don't think they can create new stuff with his name.
ReplyDeleteI live in one of the most isolated places in the world, a tiny pocket of civilisation in the bottom corner of Australia, cut off from everywhere else by ocean and desert. The local indy fed are holding a show that is a five minute walk from my house that is advertising Del Rio as the headline act. There is a very slim chance I will make the walk down the road to watch.
ReplyDeleteIF a wrestler ever brought it to court, and got to judgement, that would merely be one of multiple reasons it got thrown out. And a minor one, at that.
ReplyDelete(IANAL, but I'd think WWE's "sports entertainment" moniker would actually hurt them here, as UFC/MMA is traditionally under "sports", which would NOT fall under "competition". Hell, the only thing that I could see in that situation would be something like ESPN's old Playmakers show, or maybe American Gladiators.)
As a W2 employee, I do remember signing a restriction that I couldn't go to another company in my current industry within six months. But my company also pays for my licensing so it makes sense. Plus, I'm not an independent contractor.
ReplyDeleteThe WWE's policy doesn't make ANY sense. Sorry to bring that up again but it's ridiculous.
WWE can dick over the wrestlers because they are the only game in town
ReplyDeleteI would assume a lot of WWE's legal wrangling is complete BS, but their ace in the hole is that if anyone does take them to court (like over the independent contractor thing), if they win, they will never work for WWE again and it's the only game in town.
ReplyDeleteAnd it would take an exceptionally pissed off person with a lot of money to even think about suing them.
Punk is actually the closest to being able to do that, but he seems past the point of caring to waste all that money to inflict damage on them.
Never underestimate Punk being spiteful.
ReplyDeleteAnd since I didn't say it to end 2014, and will probably never say it again due to their present and future irrelevance:
ReplyDeleteFuck you, Dixie Carter.
She makes Jim Herd look competent.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing about Non Compete Clauses is the geographic component. What do they think their scope is? Connecticut? The whole U.S.? The World?
ReplyDeleteI'd assume that clause is illegal as it's prohibition of trade. I suppose the talent could always go and work in Japan or Mexico, but not everyone would want to. Plus, if a 'name' talent decides they don't want to renew a contract with WWE and want to go to, say, Lucha Underground, I assume WWE could just fire them for "disciplinary reasons" and sabotage their deal, which surely couldn't stand up to scrutiny.
ReplyDeleteThere has to be a local talent you're more interested in watching.
ReplyDeleteSee, the Mr part would be gone. Used for specificity.
ReplyDeleteI'll still never understand why they didn't do the Heyman deal.
ReplyDeleteHeyman is like the Billy Beane of wrestling. He'll find a way to make the product acceptable. Just give him control, keep an eye on the finances, and who cares if he wants an ownership stake. So he gets 5% or something. 95% of a Heyman run TNA is a hell of a lot more valuable than 100% of Dixieland.
The WWE Universe.
ReplyDeleteBetween the whole "you have to change your name to work here because we don't own it" bit and this, they really don't come off well, do they?
ReplyDeleteThe Universe, duh.
ReplyDeleteI could see Vince's Preserved Head suing Hulk Hogan XI after Hogan wants to go wrestle for the Antares Wrestling Federation.
I am endlessly amused by this comment.
ReplyDeleteMainland or Tasmania?
ReplyDeleteI want to see they should grow a backbone but I guess if I was in their position I'm not so sure I'd be one to take a stand against Vince.
ReplyDeleteWell done.
ReplyDeleteDidn't American Idol have a contract where the finalists become essentially "forever and throughout the universe" properties of 19 Management.
I really think it's just a "You don't like it? Sue us then" move and they're basically challenging their wrestlers to put up the money to sue them, and if someone actually does, they'll quietly settle with that individual.
ReplyDeleteOther than the top guys, who probably aren't leaving WWE, and if they are, aren't leaving for UFC or lesser pro wrestling, most guys don't want the financial burden of pursuing a lawsuit and will just eat it.
I guess, but if you get to that point, and depending on who you are, you probably weren't going to work for them again anyway. I remember a bunch of people stating that Colt Cabana would now never work for the company again, but...and I may be off base here...I don't think CC was going to ever be offered work from the WWE again anyway.
ReplyDeleteMeltzer said that the clause is unlikely to hold up in court but that a majority of the wrestlers would not be able to afford the legal expenses to start a case.
ReplyDeleteColt's a good example, because you're right, he'll never work there again. But a guy like Colt doesn't have FU money to where he can waste it on a lawsuit. And that the thing, most of the guys who would be affected by their legal clauses aren't the guys who have been making the top money. The top guys usually get paid well until they're ready to move on to something else.
ReplyDeletePunk is really an exception to all of that.
So it really takes a guy with deep pockets who has a serious axe to grind with the company for a lawsuit to be a threat.
Ah, the old Go Fuck Yourself Clause.
ReplyDeletequick google shows Ultimate Warrior (who was actually the 1st), Savage, Bigelow, and Kevin Nash did Slim Jim ads.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how deep though. It probably wouldn't be a months long case and actually, if a wrestler just went to that one lawyer that Punk did, all of the research would be done.
ReplyDeletequite possibly.
ReplyDeletePeople like to see people they've seen on TV before. That's why all those dinner theater plays always have someone from MASH or Happy Days or some show like that
ReplyDeletePlus Randy did the nasty with Stephanie.
ReplyDeleteWWE Legal Dept: Negotiating BS ways to screw you over because we can.
ReplyDeleteNow.
Then.
FOREVER.
Gah, something something about Nash snapping his quad, I can't quite get the wording!
ReplyDeleteSome of them do. Even Samoa Joe said he had an agent.
ReplyDeleteGreat. Now I want to see Donny Most as the lead in Fiddler on the Roof.
ReplyDeleteC'mon sir. Come harder than that.
ReplyDeleteGive me a few weeks.
ReplyDeleteMaybe if one of the wrestlers would send an anonymous tip to mainstream media outlets(CNN,etc),generating publicity of some sort? Just a suggestion,no idea how american media actually works
ReplyDeleteBut Dixie would have lost her job and nobody else would hire her because she's a useless person. Bob had to look after his good for nothing kid.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I get it. I just choose to ignore it.
ReplyDeleteFor a line that almost writes itself? You still sick, bud?
ReplyDeleteEven if all he did was gurgle out the word "brains" for two hours, I'd probably still watch it. And I don't even really like shoot interviews.
ReplyDeleteA little. :/
ReplyDeleteNow I'm seeing VKM as Stallone as Judge Dredd.
ReplyDeleteI need to lie down.
Now with 700% less lube
ReplyDeleteIf the Benoit deaths didn't get government intrusion into WWE's affairs, this damn sure won't do jack and shit.
ReplyDeleteEdge did some more recently, too.
ReplyDeleteThis has gone on a long time. Maybe go see a doc?
ReplyDeletePoorly.
ReplyDeleteYou forgot to add the ™
ReplyDeleteMeh. Don't know the keystrokes.
ReplyDelete"Hey Dixie, we're going to let Paul take over"
ReplyDelete"Well what am I going to do?"
"Well, we're making you Director of Administrative Operations."
"What's that?"
"Well, you get to work from home, you supervise the Administrative staff which is currently just you, and you get the same paycheck"
No compete is pretty standard, although a year is a long ass time. I'm not sure how enforceable that is.
ReplyDeleteThe merchandise thing doesn't seem too out of line though, to be honest.
Apparently he insisted that she remain a TV character too. His brat was gonna be a star!
ReplyDelete"Um. How will this affect my action figure?"
ReplyDeleteYeah, but he was a Canadian. No one cares about 'those' people
ReplyDeleteThe only way the government ever gets involved is if Linda runs again, maybe even wins, and the Democrats decide to go after her.
ReplyDeleteI doubt that it's retroactive. They couldn't get out of paying what was already earned and owed. That's looking for trouble in a big way.
ReplyDeleteIf you walk out on us, we won't be paying you for the Meekin's Moobs shirts that we sell going forward.
I'd pay to see that myself.
ReplyDeleteIt's basically just sniffles now. Annoying, and I wouldn't want to sit near me in the movie theatre lately, but it's manageable. I'm sure I'll be recovered by Monday when I have to go back to work. Pah.
ReplyDelete"While the Bunny has been off of TV recently he will return to continue the storyline with Rose soon, as 8 year olds and Vince Jordan are hoppin' mad he isn't currently on the show."
ReplyDelete...goddammit...
ReplyDeleteThey would have gone after them one of the first two times she ran if they actually gave a shit. All WWE is to pretty much any politician is an easy target for attack ads. You'll NEVER see anyone outside of Linda touting WWE's "success" as a positive, other than in a self-serving manner.
ReplyDeletejoin Sag-Aftra. let their many lawyers go to work
ReplyDeleteI'd assume you could still do indies that aren't using the show for TV or Internet PPV.
ReplyDelete"Per John Gaburik, Ethan Carter III has signed a new deal with the company. He will the customary TNA contract, which as we all know is a yearly membership to the 'Jelly of the Month' club."
ReplyDeleteNeither of those unions want anything to do with wrestling. The only times a wrestler has joined was through other movie/TV work, and most of them admit that they did it to get the benefits.
ReplyDeleteDon't act like you don't love it.
ReplyDeleteCan't believe the Authority came back before VJ did.
ReplyDeleteClearly, the Authority was in more demand.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised WWE doesn't just have current talent sign over permanent likeness rights the way some films and TV do (Star Wars notably). They could then just use talent likenesses in perpetuity without having to sign new deals.
ReplyDeleteYeah, more than likely. I'm not sure how the whole thing holds up for independent contractors at all, tbh.
ReplyDeleteIt would be in line with their WWE Name Generator policy...
ReplyDeleteI hate that it sounds like I'm defending WWE on the clause, but surely it doesn't say a wrestler would be banned from "all of wrestling." It has to be like the no-compete clause where they just can't show up on a televised event, but could instantly start taking indy bookings.
ReplyDeleteIt's one union. Never known unions to object to more dues paying members. But if they are upset about incoming revenue, there are several other unions that wrestlers could conceivably fit into. Stunt workers comes to mind first
ReplyDeleteOooooh... Jelly!
ReplyDeleteIt's the gift that keeps on giving, Clark.
ReplyDeleteShe also made the rich people rookie mistake of reaching WAY too high with her first attempts. I still maintain that she could have gotten into the CT state senate or even POSSIBLY the U.S. house at a much reduced cost if she were actually serious about legislating. Then after 6 years, you can try for the...er...Brass Ring.
ReplyDeleteThe Royals have a deal with a theater restaurant here - whenever they have a new show opening they have the star throw out the first ball and sing "take me out to the ballgame" in the 7th inning. I've seen (I think) every MASH regular except the guy who played Potter, 4 members of Happy Days, 2 Brady's and and 2 Partridge family members and Ellie May Clampett do it.
ReplyDeleteYeah that clause is a waste if time. Del Rio had one anyways and the court said no. Nice try wwe but no.
ReplyDeleteThat clause is fairly common, if I was to get fired for disciplinary reasons, then I would be prohibited from working for someone else in the same industry for 6 months.
ReplyDeleteIt's to stop being fired for passing privileged information or similar yet still have a job lined up.
yes and no. Non-compete clauses are fairly common. Hell I signed one just to be a store manager at Hollywood Video (and then left to go to Blockbuster with no repercussions). But there are 3 factors.
ReplyDelete1. regular employee vs. WWE's "independent contractor" status
2. possibly withholding owed compensation (that wording is a bit iffy so I'm reluctant to say that is exactly what would occur)
3. "Same industry" UFC is in no way the same industry as WWE
Isn't the bit about being a manager key, like this would normally relate to people at a management or executive level, not talent or normal store employees?
ReplyDeleteNo not at all.
ReplyDeletebut it does say UFC. there has long been 90 day no compete clauses. It's why Jericho waited 90 days to hit WWF. It is why guys wait 90 days before TNA. But this is both longer and more expansive, including an industry that is not the same as professional wrestling.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day, the company's job is to look out for the company, even if their methods are questionably enforceable (to a point anyhow.) They will force people to fight, and many won't, so the company wins.
ReplyDeleteI know employees with no compete clauses. Employees still have access to client lists, and all sorts of IP.
ReplyDeleteit doesn't? Depends on what it means. It if means not receiving compensation for unpaid merchandise sales DURING a period they worked, then it is illegal as Hell. If it means not receiving further merchandise income for your likeness and name once your are officially fired, then it's arguable, although likenesses are always iffy with courts of law. They tend to frown on people selling other people's picture on merchandise without permission. On the other hand comic book companies have sold other people's creations without compensation for decades.
ReplyDeleteIt's a common clause and usually very hard to enforce. The only time it's really ever successful is if a sales person brings all their contacts to another competitor in the same market within a few months.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with the WWE is the wrestlers are independent contractors and even if they terminate a contract based on disciplinary reasons, it's on them to prove the MMA company (or whoever) is the same industry, the contract was terminated only for disciplinary reasons, the disciplinary reasons need to be clearly identified, and the contractor is doing the exact same work. They're never going to win with that clause.
it is normally higher up, which is why I thought it was laughable I had to sign one and I ignored it when I left. I zero access to any information that anyone else did other than the database that showed our members, what they rented, what they owed, etc. Same info any employee had access too, and they didn't sign non-competes. Honestly I think it was just to try and scare folks from jumping to Blockbuster or other video stores. Obviously it failed with me
ReplyDeleteyes on a high level. A high level exec at Google can't jump to Microsoft and vice versa for a period of time. Proprietary info and all. But other than being punitive, what argument can WWE have for their non-compete clause of a year?
ReplyDeleteWell, I suppose that's something.
ReplyDeleteIf it's go-forward then I have no issue at all. If it's retroactive to include money already due, then I don't agree, but I don't know enough about this to comment on the legality.
ReplyDeleteI do know that I have worked jobs where I earn bonuses that are vested for a period of time and even if I earn them, if I cease to be employed before the end of the vesting period then I forfeit. It just happened to me when I left a job 2 months ago. I don't know the legality of that either, the amount wasn't worth it to me to fight it in my case.
The comic book companies have pulled a lot of really shady tricks over the years. Alan Moore's been about the only guy to really fight back while he still has market value and he looks like a crazy person to most people. I wrote so many papers on how comic book companies were getting away with screwing people over in law school....
ReplyDeleteain't capitalism grand?
ReplyDeleteI don't know enough to really comment.
ReplyDeleteNatural Born Killaz should not be last.
ReplyDeleteYou're an actual lawyer?
ReplyDeleteI. hate. Puns.
ReplyDelete#HEALTHFOOD
I don't think so, but Caliber once tried to hire him!
ReplyDeletePretty sure my infected butt hairs are in more demand.
ReplyDeleteI went to law school, yes, but I'm a programmer now. It's much more fun and better employment options.
ReplyDeleteCommie.
ReplyDeleteunderstandable. I just can't see any way to justify a non-compete. In the past it was 90 days after a contract expired to prevent guys from company hopping. No one fought it even though it seemed illegal. At the same time a fired guy like Xpac got to show up immediately. Others however got their releases but had to wait out it out (Austin, Pillman, and Raven in ECW). But the only arguments would be to prevent company hopping and getting fired on purpose and that WWE "made" the person who shows up in TNA or other company. But with trademarks and copyrights, you can't bring the same name or character over anyway. It's just a dubious argument as wrestlers aren't bringing proprietary info. It seems simply punitive to try and keep guys from leaving or intentionally getting fired.
ReplyDeleteThat guy....I was just trying to answer a question for him when he *really* went off the rails. I don't wish him ill, but I think taking a break from here was best for him.
ReplyDeleteThe independent contractor thing does make it sketchy as hell. If I hire an electrician, I can't prevent him from going elsewhere if I fire him. Even if I had him sign something I powerfully doubt that I could have that enforced.
ReplyDeleteleanings that way. every economic system is garbage. capitalism doesn't work as soon as you expand out of the small village marketplace. communism obviously has a whole set of issues. I'm a believer in a WELL-regulated capitalist economy with many common goods/necessities such as water, health care, energy, gasoline, etc. being owned or well regulated by the government.
ReplyDeleteit is because of the lack of exposure due to the WWE Network.
ReplyDeleteFound on Ebay - A very disturbed child's bad artwork. I hope it's a child anyway..
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ebay.com/sch/thedoctorwhoguide2012/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=
Some of the titles of his artwork:
HITLER the FLOWER
Hitler's BOOB Job
Hitler's Boob Job - different pose
HITLER in Thong
Hitler is Farted On
Hitler the Football Fan
Hitler Of Gold
Hitler's Pink Wig
Hitler's Parasite Problem
Hitler the Frog
Hitler and His Portrait
HITLER GOES BALD
Hitler the Snowman
NO HITLER'S ( Sign )
Sexy Hitler
Hitler the Gingerbread Man
It'll cost me about 300 dollars, but I'm going to buy them to prove to people they're real. "Hitler is farted on" is the most expensive, if you were wondering
Who do you want to win the Rumble and who actually wins the Rumble?
ReplyDeleteSeems to me like you chose wisely.
ReplyDeleteAmbrose - Bryan
ReplyDeleteExcept you're thinking about short term contracts. When a company hires an independent contractor on a long term contract such as an auditor , or IT security, anything which gives them access to privileged information they often have a clause which prevents them from working for a direct competitor or something in the same industry if their contract is terminated for gross misconduct or similar.
ReplyDeleteBryan/Ambrose-Reigns.
ReplyDeleteBryan is who I want to win and he is who I suspect will end up winning.
ReplyDeletePretty much any system designed and run by imperfect beings will have any number of problems.
ReplyDeleteHoping you guys get better sponsorship after that World Series run.
ReplyDeleteBryan / Bryan.
ReplyDeleteOr, Hoss.
I want ziggler to win; reigns will win
ReplyDeleteLaw school is a big scam nowadays. I barely paid attention at the end and still passed because they don't want to kick anyone out and lose the tuition. It's all about getting and keeping as many people as possible and keeping that revenue coming in. The field is crowded with tons of people who have law degrees and can't find jobs. The only school that seems to guarantee you having a job when you leave is Harvard.
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell is this
ReplyDeleteUm. You remember that thing I said earlier about your choosing wisely? This is the opposite of that.
ReplyDeleteimperfect....greedy....pick whichever words you want. But yes, you are correct. You just have to do your best to massage the imperfections out. But globalism has really put economic truths on their ass.
ReplyDeleteeither outsider folk art, or a cry for help
ReplyDeleteGlobalism isn't on a level playing field. We have next to no manufacturing because companies are using what is practically slave labor in other countries.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinkin both. Jesus Christ this is something else. "Tom Daley Photographs" aka things I printed off google and am now selling on eBay.
ReplyDeleteUp to 736 upvotes for my Winston joke on Deadspin. Unlike Kim K, I didn't need to whore out nude shots to break the Internet
ReplyDeleteWant: Ziggler. Will: Bryan.
ReplyDeleteWant: Bryan
ReplyDeleteWill: Reigns
What was the joke?
ReplyDeleteNo.
ReplyDeleteBut I WAS going to send you Hitler boob job #2 as a gift, but you just blew it.I had a nice frame picked out and everything
Agreed
ReplyDeleteI can tell you that the rates for business lawyers are getting pushed down hard, around here anyhow. We have a couple of dozen panel counsel that we already pay low rates to because we send them so much volume, and we just threw a big party for them to let them know that this year's rates would be even lower, but here, have a drink and some appetizers.
ReplyDeleteWinston Churchill?
ReplyDeleteLOL This made me laugh. Nice.
ReplyDeleteWhen FSU got down early, my brother, who was rooting for FSU, said Jameis Winston had the Ducks right where he wanted them.
ReplyDeleteConsidering the Ducks were sober and on top, I respectfully disagreed.
I think this is probably true for any number of fields.
ReplyDeleteUnless the contract specifically says they can't work for someone else due to gross misconduct, the company can't prevent them from working somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteThey can't share priviledged information because that belongs to the company. If they did, it would be like stealing.
It's really, really hard to enforce a non-compete because it's on the company to prove the other person took the exact same job with another company.
Indeed. I love historical jokes, they're quite grand
ReplyDeleteProbably so. Law school is still so expensive and sold on this lie lawyers make a bunch of money.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't need to be enforced officially, other companies don't want the hassle. If there's any chance of court action being taken because you hired some guy, you would choose to hire someone else.
ReplyDeleteI mean, it was at a nice hotel, and the appy's were pretty good.
ReplyDeleteHere's another upvote for that joke!
ReplyDeleteSeconded.
ReplyDelete"Hey, even less money for you, but here's some booze and food. Party on!"
ReplyDeleteWinston Churchill bumps into Clement Attlee in the toilets of Parliament, Churchill quickly turns away from Attlee whilst at the urinal. Attlee laughs "Why're you hiding it Winston? Are you ashamed?". Churchill quickly replies "No, it's just everytime you see something big, you nationalise it."
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's basically "no raise this year, but here's a membership to the jello of the month club", just on a grander scale.
ReplyDeleteWas someone else, actually. My mistake.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I'm pretty sure I can live quite happily without this gift, but I appreciate your thinking of me.
Very solid. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteIts a travesty that it is
ReplyDeleteUnrelated post: I stumbled across someone talking about The Pixar Theory on youtube yesterday. Kind of interesting.
ReplyDeletehttp://jonnegroni.com/2013/07/11/the-pixar-theory/
http://www.pixartheory.com/
That no-compete clause is just begging to be tested in court.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, the whole "no-compete" thing in 2015 is just stupid. Oh my god, Vince--some guy you didn't want anymore is going to work for another company. Whoopty-fuckin'-doo. Does Vince think Nitro is still on because it's on the Network? What a miserable bunch of human beings to work for.