CAA Resolves “Underperforming Writers” Lawsuit Before Trial
CAA (Creative Artists Agency) has reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought by writer John Musero, who accused the agency of breaching its duty by placing him on internal blacklists. The settlement was disclosed in court documents on Monday, just ahead of a trial that was scheduled to begin this week.
Settlement Details
The agreement resolves the contentious case without a trial. CAA is set to pay approximately $500,000, while Musero initially sought $25 million. The terms of the settlement must be finalized within 45 days, with further details remaining undisclosed.
CAA spokesperson stated, “We are glad to finally move on from this meritless lawsuit, which produced no finding of wrongdoing by CAA and was resolved for what amounts to nuisance value.”
Background of the Case
The lawsuit, which began in 2019, alleged that CAA and former agent Andrew Miller undermined Musero’s career. Musero claimed that they failed to properly promote his pilot, titled *Main Justice*, which garnered interest from The Mark Gordon Company, a significant studio producer at the time.
According to Musero, once he entered a 14-month development deal, CAA ceased submitting him for further writing opportunities. The lawsuit suggests that Miller later redeveloped the script with Top Gun producer Jerry Bruckheimer and writer Sascha Penn, allowing Musero’s option to lapse.
The Blacklists
The trial was poised to focus on CAA’s internal policies, particularly the designation of writers as “underperformers” or as clients the agency was “getting rid of.” The blacklists were reportedly circulated in 2016 among top television staffing executives within CAA.
- Musero was unaware of being on the lists.
- The lists were accessible via CAA’s internal network for nearly a year.
- CAA claimed the lists were only visible to four department heads.
Musero’s legal team argued that these labels influenced his representation negatively. CAA contended that the lists were used for internal assessments and did not constitute a breach of fiduciary duty.
Trial Expectations
Expected witnesses included notable industry figures such as Aaron Sorkin, who collaborated with Musero on *The Newsroom*, and Peter Micelli, formerly of CAA. The trial was set to address whether CAA had adequate policies in place to protect writers from potential reputational damage associated with these internal listings.
Ultimately, the resolution of this lawsuit allows both parties to move forward, although the implications of the issues raised extend into broader discussions about agency-client relationships in the entertainment industry.
