Feltheimer
Veteran television executive Jon Feltheimer filed suit against Sony Corp. on Friday, alleging that it reneged on agreements to pay him a total of $22 million in connection with his years at the company.
Feltheimer, who currently serves as vice chairman and CEO at Lions Gate Entertainment, departed Sony in 1999. Feltheimer spent eight years at Sony Pictures Entertainment, most recently as president of Columbia TriStar Television Group and exec VP of SPE.
Feltheimer claims that in May 1999, he negotiated a three-year, $12 million compensation package to continue his employment. Oral agreement was allegedly breached when Sony terminated him in September 1999 before the new contract term and denied the existence of the agreement. On the breach of employment contract claim, Feltheimer seeks $12 million.
At the time, reports noted that Feltheimer negotiated for months to renew his employment contract; when it became apparent that the two sides were at an impasse, Sony recruited Mel Harris as co-president and chief operating officer overseeing television.
In a game of musical titles, Feltheimer had assumed the top Sony TV job in 1995 when Harris originally left the company.
Another portion of the complaint relates to Feltheimer's hiring in 1991. Prior to joining Sony, Feltheimer was president and CEO at TV producer New World Entertainment. When Sony acquired New World's television assets in 1991, Feltheimer moved over as president of the relaunched TriStar TV banner.
According to the complaint, Sony orally promised Feltheimer in 1991 that at some future date it would compensate him with stock or its equivalent value for bringing the two companies together. But the company never had a public stock offering and did not compensate him.
Feltheimer alleges damages of $10 million and claims for breach of contract and fraud in connection with the stock claim.
"Sony did not honor their deal with Mr. Feltheimer, and he was left no alternative but to seek redress in the courts," said Feltheimer's attorney, Larry Feldman.
Feltheimer quickly worked his way up the Sony ladder following the New World acquisition. The exec soon oversaw both Columbia Pictures TV and TriStar TV, which later merged.
When Harris departed as Sony TV topper in 1995, Feltheimer gained global oversight for the company's TV business, including Columbia TriStar Television Distribution, Columbia TriStar Intl. Television and the Game Show Network.
Under Feltheimer's tenure, Columbia TriStar TV developed hits such as "Mad About You" and "Party of Five." The studio also expanded its global presence, acquired the Spanish-lingo network Telemundo (with Liberty Media) and struck new arrangements with Brad Grey Television and Artists Television Group.
Sony did not return calls seeking comment.
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