WME’s Ari Emanuel vs. Irving Azoff: Emails Of Their Battle Go Viral
(UPDATED) An apparent email dispute between William Morris Endeavor head Ari Emanuel and former Live Nation chairman Irving Azoff went public this week when the email missives were CC'd to a number of industry execs including Cablevision's James Dolan and Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino.
More & The Alleged Email Exchange
As reported by Deadline Hollywood and The Hollywood Reporter, the exchange appears to have been sparked by a story in the Financial Times about the performance of Live Nation's stock since Azoff's exit in December. Emanuel is a current member of Live Nation's board of directors.
In the exchange, Emanuel prods Azoff, pointing out the FT article and inquiring about how much Azoff lost by selling his Live Nation stock before the share price improved. Additional controversy follows, with Azoff characterizing Emanuel as a "psycopath" and Emanual in turn, describing Azoff as a "horrible person."
Some of the dispute appears to stem from WME's clients leaving the firm for competitor Creative Artists Agency, where Azoff's son Jeffrey works as an agent since October 2012, and to where several of Azoff's clients have since moved their business.
Finally, in an apparent attempt to defuse the incident, Azoff's wife Shelli contacted The Hollywood Reporter to set the record straight, telling the publication that "Anybody who knows Irving and I, know that we try to live our lives in a fair and honorable way," she says. "I think that all of our emails to Ari show that.. I wish Ari success and happiness, now and always."
—–Original Message—–
From: Ariel Emanuel
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 7:46 AM
To: Irving Azoff'
The article says since you left stock has continued to grow…..interesting
How much money you lost by selling. Stupid move
From: Irving Azoff
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 8:09 AM
To: Ariel Emanuel
Cc:
Subject: RE: Live Nation revels as clamour for gigs reaches crescendo – FT.com
Thanks honey. Always good to hear from your friends who want to wish you well. Have a great day .love you Irving
From: Ariel Emanuel
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 9:10 AM
To: ILA
Cc:
Subject: RE: Live Nation revels as clamour for gigs reaches crescendo – FT.com
I don’t want to wish you well. You are fundamentally a liar and selfish. You also take no responsibility for your actions and their impact on people. After repeatedly lying to me after I was loyal and defended you, you tried to take clients from this agency and never took responsibility for it. You can lie to other people and think you’ll get away with it. That’s not happening with me. I’m not from this town. My roots are elsewhere, and let me tell you something: I don’t forget and won’t forget. I keep grudges for a lifetime, and you’re one of them now. I look forward to the relationship that we now have.
From: Irving Azoff
To: Ariel Emanuel
Subject: RE: Live Nation revels as clamour for gigs reaches crescendo – FT.com
Perfect. Just the response I was hoping for. Put your despicable behavior in writing. I , for one, will laugh at your downfall.
From: Irving Azoff
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 9:40 AM
To: Ariel Emanuel
Cc:
Subject: RE: Live Nation revels as clamour for gigs reaches crescendo – FT.com
Irene. Please block this psychopath from sending me further emails. Love you tons Ari. I understand your illness. I forgive you.
From: Shelli Azoff
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 10:11 AM
To: Ariel Emanuel
Cc:http://FT.com
Ari,
Stop it.
If I don't answer immediately, I will soon!
On Jun 21, 2013, at 10:50 AM, "Ariel Emanuel" wrote:
You have no idea. You are just going to begin to understand. I do not feel bad for you
From: Shelli Azoff
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 10:24 AM
To: Ariel Emanuel
Subject: Re: Live Nation revels as clamour for gigs reaches crescendo – FT.com
Are u having a slow day my love? Seriously ari, u r being silly, we only wish u well, your life is great, be happy..
If I don't answer immediately, I will soon!
On Jun 21, 2013, at 11:17 AM, "Ariel Emanuel" <> wrote:
Never
I am the only person telling you to your faces what they think. Everyone else thinks it but says nothing.
From: Ariel Emanuel
Date: 06/21/2013 11:29 AM (GMT-07:00)
To: Shelli Azoff
http://FT.com
I am getting you a coffee machine. Your husband is a horrible person. He lies when he says hello. He cannot keep up with all the lies he tells. Everyone knows he is not to be trusted. Wake up Coffee machine on its way. From: Shelli Azoff
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 10:34 AM
To: Ariel Emanuel
Cc:
Subject: (4 NEW) RE: Live Nation revels as clamour for gigs reaches crescendo – FT.com
Your halo is shining bright baby!!
From:Irving Azoff
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 11:25 AM
To: Shelli Azoff; Ariel Emanuel
Cc:
Subject: RE: (4 NEW) RE: Live Nation revels as clamour for gigs reaches crescendo – FT.com
Now is this the pot calling the kettle black or what? You lie at hello ari. I love you. I want to get away with criminal behavior just like you.
From: Ariel Emanuel
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 11:27 AM
To: ILA; Shelli Azoff
Subject: RE: (4 NEW) RE: Live Nation revels as clamour for gigs reaches crescendo – FT.com
Lie one billion from the biggest criminal. You ain’t getting away from me.
From: Irving Azoff
Date: June 21, 2013, 11:30:19 AM PDT
Subject: normal">RE: (4 NEW) RE: Live Nation revels as clamour for gigs reaches crescendo – FT.com
Thanks for the fun morning ari but I gotta go
via CelebrityAccess
I just hope when I grow up I’ll be all mature like them.
So pathetic…
these guys are the heads of major companies and look at their email grammar!!! hahahhahaha
….can you imagine being an act at these places looking for a sensible solution to a simple situation…..given this banter….that would be impossible….