MIAMI (AP) — Hip hop artist Flo Rida was awarded $82.6 million on Wednesday after a South Florida jury found that the makers of Celsius energy drinks breached a contract with the rapper and singer, and tried to cover money from him.
Flo Rida, whose real name is Tramar Dillard, and his production company, Strong Arm Productions, had sued Boca Raton-based Celsius Holdings Inc. in Broward County court in May 2021, claiming that the corporate had violated the conditions of an endorsement deal.
“Mainly, I helped birth this company, and all we was on the lookout for was some trustworthy individuals who acted as in the event that they were family,” Dillard told The Associated Press. “After which when it comes all the way down to the success of today, they simply forgot about me.”
Lawyers for Celsius argued in court and in previous filings that the corporate reached its best success after the Flo Rida endorsement deal ended — and that other business decisions led to increased sales and stock value. Celsius could still appeal the decision, nevertheless it wasn’t immediately clear in the event that they would. Attorneys for the corporate didn’t immediately reply to messages looking for comment from The Associated Press.
In accordance with the civil grievance, Flo Rida was a brand ambassador for Celsius from 2014 to 2018. During that point, Dillard played an instrumental role in launching a latest era for the corporate’s brand development, growth and expansion, introducing Celsius to thousands and thousands all over the world, the grievance said. Dillard and his attorneys argued that the partnership paved the way in which for Celsius to grow its product portfolio, which incorporates adding a powder product and latest product line called Celsius Heat along with Flo Rida’s partnership. The corporate has consistently sold and picked up revenues for its powder form products since then.
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Attorney John Uustal said Flo Rida wanted the 1% ownership he was promised and would still be willing to just accept the stock as an alternative of the jury’s monetary award.
“He (Dillard) loved the product, and it’s been a really successful four-year relationship,” Uustal said. “There have been some benchmarks. He was speculated to get stock when certain things happened. And there became a dispute about whether those benchmarks had been reached. In order that’s what this was about.”
Dillard said he continues to drink Celsius products and even owns some stock in the corporate. He said he’d prefer to move on from the legal battle and work with the corporate again in the longer term.
“I’m still a owner in the corporate,” Dillard said. “And if you principally planted the seed for something that’s successful, you may’t help but have unconditional love.”
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