Message to NFL players: Plaxico finally got it right: Always cut a deal and move on with your life!
After months of stress and a media circus, Plaxico Burress, former star of the New York Giants, was sentenced to prison yesterday and taken into custody at a New York courthouse.
The former Super Bowl star is expected to serve a two year prison sentence after pleading guilty to one count of attempted criminal possession of a weapon. He was indicted by a grand jury a month ago and wisely cut a deal.
He could have faced a 3 ½ mandatory sentence and up to 15 years if convicted for carelessly taking a loading gun to a club last year and accidentally shooting himself. The gun was not licensed and he had to cut a deal with prosecutors to avoid a messy trial and longer sentence.
The lesson here for other stars and players to learn is when faced with a big legal or criminal problem like Burress faced you should do the quick thing that Cleveland Brown’s wide receiver Donte Stallworth did after the Miami tragedy when his vehicle struck and killed a pedestrian!
I call them my 5 R’s: Regret, Remorse, Respect, Responsibility and Rehabilitate yourself. Specifically, you show Regret for what you did and a great deal of Remorse. You then show Respect for the law you violated and take Responsibility for your actions. If you do these things, you have a great chance to rehabilitate yourself, your career and your name and brand in the long run.
In Florida, for example, Stallworth, another great NFL player, quickly apologized to the family of his victim to show his regret.
Stallworth also appeared remorseful for driving under the influence of alcohol. He also showed some respect towards the family of the tragic victim, Mario Reyes, and he then took responsibility by agreeing to prison time and, of course, financially settling with the family. And, indeed, some have a problem with him only getting 30 days in jail and serving less than that, as I can totally understand. But, now Stallworth, who lost his driver’s license, can start the process of rehabilitating himself, his career and his life.
In essence, a horror that started in March of this year for Stallworth was prosecuted and resolved by July, less than four months later. Indeed, he was suspended by the NFL, but he did it right and can even go play in another league, if needed. The bottom line is Stallworth did it right, did the 5 R’s, and got his LIFE back as I suggested for Plaxico day one last December.
Burress should have cut a quick deal last fall, saving legal fees and getting his prison sentence done and over. He would be more than a third of the way through his sentence by now and back to his wife and young son.
But, thank God, he FINALLY got it right and for other athletes and stars: It’s the 5 R’s: Do the first four (Show Regret, Show Remorse, Show Respect for the Law and Show Responsibility for Your Actions) so you can star Rehabilitating yourself.
I hope other players are listening now!
James L. Walker is a Stamford based author, sports and entertainment lawyer, who has represented a number of artists and athletes. He can be reached at jwalkerbook@yahoo.com.
THE MICHAEL JACKSON ESTATE: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS!
BY JAMES L. WALKER, JR., Attorney, Author, Adjunct Professor, Entrepreneur and Businessman
Image Source Brisbane Times
In less than 10 days, we will celebrate 2 months since the death of the King of Pop: Mr. Michael Jackson!
And, while the confusion continues, one thing is clear: It’s All About the Benjamins, i.e., the millions of dollars at stake!
For example, we don’t even know if Jackson is buried?
We don’t even know if a concert tour is coming featuring the brothers, Janet Jackson or some hybrid thereof?
We don’t even know what’s gonna happen to Neverland Valley Ranch?
We don’t even know if Debbie Rowe is the mother of the two older kids, or Claire Cruise, who called a press conference last week claiming she was the mother? And, we have no clear idea of who Blanket’s mother is?
And, of course, there is the omnipresent Joe Jackson: we have no clue if he’ll ever be quiet?
But, again, what we do know is: It’s All About the Benjamins!
Like your LA neighbor Rodney King once pleaded: Can’t we all Get Along?
The family, the Estate, the promoters, the managers and of course, the lawyers, are all duking it out over money.
And today, another lawyer appeared in court to represent the interest of the three children. Yet, another expense!
And, the saddest part is that there is enough money to go around for everyone if they could huddle up and agree on one thing: we all one to make money off this estate and maximize the revenue streams!
In my book on the entertainment industry, I have a chapter that focuses on how Muhammad Ali, who hasn’t fought in decades, sold the trademark and rights to his name for $50 million and retained some of the residual royalties in the future.
When James Brown died, it was estimated that the Godfather of Soul’s musical catalogue was worth nearly $100 million.
And, we all have heard that Elvis Presley’s estate turns $150 million to his heirs and family, who have cut several deals.
So to the MJ family and estate team: cut the deal and stop fighting.
MJ’s portfolio value and related interests will trump all those deals and values combined!
Come on gang, let’s play nice!
Resolve this dispute over the $60 million movie deal with Columbia pictures and Sony and move on to other deals.
I mean, we have all chastised and ridiculed Joe Jackson for his quick self-promotion just days after the funeral.
However, now, I think Joe Jackson is the only one that seems to get it: let’s stop bickering, cut deals, and everyone gets paid, even the attorneys on both sides who are leading the charge.
As an entertainment lawyer, when you advise groups or these types of large families with various entertainers (Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson and the Jackson Brothers), each group has an entourage.
So, bring all handlers, managers, lawyers, agents and publicists for the various Jackson Family members into one room and show them that if we do some of the things below, we can generate $100 – $200 million annually.
We have all heard that the MJ debt is estimated at $400 million.
If everyone huddle up in one room and we can pay that debt in two years or less!
READ: lawyers get in a big expensive conference room, with those good sandwiches, plenty of juice and coffee and get this thing done already and withdraw all the legal actions!
It’s time to conduct a press conference with all of the brothers, sisters, parents and extended family members present, but one person serves as the spokesperson.
Sending Jermaine on Larry King every week is not wrapping up the legal fights.
Present a united family front, one that is mindful of the many millions of people worldwide who cared so deeply for Michael and who are also grieving.
To calm down the demand by millions to be a part of this memorial celebration and for those who could not crammed into the much too-small Staples Center, announce a week-long celebration kicking off on August 29th (MJ’s birthday) and ending Labor Day weekend thereafter.
Millions would be made and it would just put a much needed positive spin on this sad and epic Shakespeare-like tragedy.
Cut another deal for millions in the development of a European tour (and possible domestic tour) featuring a Jackson Five/Jackson Family Reunion Tour.
Include all of the Jackson siblings, and possibly invite Usher or Justin Timberlake, artists who are very successful and admittedly incredibly influenced by MJ to fill in for MJ.
If you haven’t done it already, get some more benjamins by partnering with Sony Records, Motown or whomever is Jackson’s current label and crank out albums like Tupac’s mama and Biggie’s estate to the tune of millions annually. (Tupac has more than 10 posthumous albums; and I believe Biggie has at least 5 albums since his death, making millions for their estates).
Get with the networks and announce a Jackson Family Special on BET to “Remember The Time”.
More millions!!!
Also, as MTV initially refused to air Black videos, this is a wonderful time to meet with them and announce a partnership and TV special or shoot reality show.
I am a member of NARAS and I’m sure they would probably want to do something to commemorate the death of such a legend like Michael Jackson.
So Jackson Family go meet with the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (GRAMMYS) and announce that Michael Jackson will be honored in 6 months at the 52nd Annual Grammys with the show being dedicated to him, as well as the creation of a special award named in his honor.
Lastly, get some clearance with the neighbors and the city or state, and work out a deal that Neverland Valley Ranch will become the Graceland of the West Coast as Elvis’ brilliant team did in Memphis.
Also, go back to Gary and create a museum and school, with the proceeds from these business ventures going to The Michael Jackson Foundation, various charities, and offset the expenses of the ranch.
Whether or not you follow all of these suggestions or none of them, regardless of what side of the table you sit on, just admit one thing to us: It’s All About the Benjamins!!!!
James L. Walker, Jr. is an attorney who is based in Stamford, CT. He is the owner of the law firm of Walker & Associates (www.walkerandassoc.com), recently named CT SBA Minority Business Champion of the Year. He is also the Author of the top selling “This Business Of Urban Music” and an adjunct professor of Entertainment Law at UCONN Law School. He can be reached at jjwalker@walkerandassoc.com.
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CHRIS BROWN: THE SENTENCE WAS HARSH ENOUGH, BUT NOW CHRIS MUST DO THE 5 R’S.
Courtesy AP Photo/David J. Phillip; Elsa/Getty Images
NEW YORK – Last night, I was on CNN and we discussed in great depth, the latest developments in the sad saga of Chris Brown and Rihanna.
On Monday, it was announced that Brown took a plea deal and will not spend any time in jail.
He will see 5 years probation, 180 hours of Community Service and some type of restraining order to stay outside of 50 yards of Rihanna, unless they are at an “industry” event, i.e., awards show, etc.
The case has caused great dialogue and debate among me and many of my peers.
Specifically, many of my legal peers and community advocates are outraged that Brown “will only sweep up some trash and pick up litter on public streets….without any time behind bars”.
They feel this is an insult to abused women everywhere and that he got some type of celebrity treatment.
First, as I stated on CNN, let’s not make Chris Brown the face of domestic abuse. He is a young 20-year-old kid who made a horrific mistake, but he is not the guy who has done this all through his life and should be buried underneath the jail.
Chris is a rich, multi-millionaire and immature kid. He should have never put his hands on Rihanna or “fought back” as several reports are stating she was beating him up with a shoe over an alleged mistress.
He should have walked away and he should have kept security with him to avoid this type of behavior.
In any event, I take great exception to my peers and others who think he got off easy or the judge should have “stepped it up.”
As my legal peer and co-panelist Jeffrey Toobin, Esq. eloquently stated, in California’s current fiscal crunch, even if he were given the 5 year maximum sentence, due to their financial restraints, he would be out early anyway.
But, that is besides the point, what good does it do to have this kid sitting behind bars.
There are two things that should happen now and why I wrote this quick blog to offer clarity:
First: Brown should engage the 5 R’s as I call them of being an entertainer or athlete who has made a mistake; and
Second: Brown should announce a tour dedicated to domesticate abuse, as I stated on CNN and Fox this weekend and in my radio show this morning.
Let’s tackle the 5 R’s first.
Brown should have focused on Regret, Remorse, Responsibility and Respect for what he did in order to Rehabilitate himself and his career.
First, RESPONSIBILITY. He must first in no uncertain terms, take Responsibility. He has to state on record, “I Did this, it is wrong and I’m so sorry”.
Which, leads us to the second and third parts: REGRET AND REMORSE.
He must truly show his Regret and Remorse for what has happened and how he plans to repair the problem by speaking out and doing some good deeds in the community to show the level of his regret and remorse.
Fourth, RESPECT. He has to show respect for Women and Rihanna in specific. He must make it clear this is not how you treat women, or your girlfriend.
Finally, if he takes responsibility, shows regret and remorse, respects women, he then has a great chance of Rehabilitating Himself.
So, when I stated on radio and CNN last night that he should do a Domestic Abuse Tour, I sincerely think that in February, he should have announced, I am going to do a 50-city tour, donate thousands of dollars to Domestic Abuse charities and non-profits and go in to high school and urban (and non-urban) centers and speak out on the wrongs with this type of action.
What do you think? And, in the meantime, let’s not make this 20-year-old immature kid, the face of domestic abuse.
James Walker is the Author of This Business of Urban Music and practices law in Stamford, CT at the Law Firm of Walker & Associates (www.walkerandassoc.com).
