James Van Der Beek has filed a lawsuit for $700K against SiriusXM/Stitcher after an alleged podcast deal with the brands was revoked.
In court documents filed Friday and obtained by Us Weekly and The Blast, the “Dawson’s Creek” star claimed a breach of contract based on a deal he says has been in the works since 2021.
According to Van Der Beek, the deal was worth at least $700K, with the star receiving 50% of the net ad revenue.
He further claimed that he had rejected other offers based on their contractual agreement.
“[Van Der Beek] had other offers and potential partners to choose from to develop this project,” the documents state.
“However, relying on the contractual agreement reached with defendants, the plaintiff discontinued negotiations with other buyers and rejected those other offers (as well as other avenues of action).”
The podcast would focus on the “Varsity Blues” actor’s career, allowing him to connect with fans of his television and film work, according to the documents.
“He would serve as the host of the podcast, conducting interviews, providing commentary and insight behind the scenes of past work, and sharing the kind of unique perspective as an artist, searcher and public figure that has become the hallmark of his social media . presence.”
Not only that, but he is also said to have discussed being a husband and father of six children. He shares daughters Olivia, 11, Annabel, 8, Emilia, 6, and Gwendolyn, 4, and sons Joshua, 10, and Jeremiah, 8 months, with wife Kimberly Van Der Beek, 40.
James further claims that by the spring of 2022, the deal “was extensively negotiated, verbally agreed and confirmed in writing in a series of phone calls and emails between the plaintiff’s authorized representatives and the defendants.”
However, SiriusXM and Stitcher are said to have emailed the “Labor Day” actor in April to inform him that while they were “ready to call the terms officially closed,” someone from senior management has reviewed the contract and eventually terminated the deal.
James goes on to claim that during a Zoom call in July, the company officially “renounced” the deal, citing a “new policy” in which the finance team reviews all contracts and can choose whether or not to go through with business. where they decide to “Refuse this deal.”
“This contradicted what defendants said during the negotiations when they alleged to plaintiff that the deal terms were created in conjunction with the input and approval of the finance, creative and sales departments. This was just a pretext to abandon the deal,” the documents said.
The actor believes SiriusXM/Stitcher should still be responsible for paying him at least the expected minimum, in addition to “general and compensatory damages” and attorney fees.
“By engaging in the above conduct, defendants have breached their contract
with claimant, resulting in the loss of the minimum warranty and the value of the use of
Defendants to build a brand and audience for this particular podcast series, as well as serving as Plaintiff’s gateway into the digital/podcasting space. As a result, Plaintiff has suffered damages in an amount to be determined at trial, but will exceed $700,000.”
A SiriusXM representative did not immediately respond to Vidak For Congress’s request for comment.