CAA Settles Lawsuit Over Writer Blacklisting Allegations

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has reached a settlement with television writer John Musero, who accused the agency of breaching its fiduciary duty by placing him on internal blacklists. The settlement, announced on Monday, comes ahead of a trial that was scheduled to begin this week. CAA will pay approximately $500,000 to Musero, who initially sought $25 million in damages. The agreement is contingent upon the completion of unspecified terms within 45 days.

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Musero's lawsuit, initiated in 2019, claimed that CAA and his former agent, Andrew Miller, sabotaged his career by failing to promote his pilot, "Main Justice," which had garnered interest from The Mark Gordon Company. Musero alleged that after entering a development deal, CAA ceased submitting him for writing opportunities, allowing his option with The Mark Gordon Company to lapse. The case was narrowed last year when a judge found that the premise of Musero's pilot was not stolen.

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Central to the lawsuit were two internal lists circulated within CAA in 2016, which labeled Musero as an "underperformer" and indicated he was a client the agency was "getting rid of." These lists were reportedly accessible to select department heads within CAA but were not disclosed to Musero, who was unaware of his designation. CAA contended that the lists were intended to identify writers needing additional support rather than to determine who should be let go.

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The trial was set to explore whether CAA maintained adequate policies to protect writers from the reputational damage associated with being placed on such lists. Musero argued that the existence of the lists signaled to other agents that he was disfavored, which hindered his chances of securing work. He claimed that had he known about the lists, he would have sought alternative representation.

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CAA's spokesperson characterized the lawsuit as "meritless," asserting that the settlement was reached for "nuisance value" and that no wrongdoing was found. Musero, however, framed the case as a significant moment for artists, suggesting that it highlighted systemic issues within the agency regarding client representation. He previously stated, “CAA secretly blacklists its own clients while leading them to believe it is continuing to represent their interests.”

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Critics of CAA have pointed to this case as indicative of broader issues within the talent agency industry, where clients may be unaware of their standing and the potential negative impact on their careers. Musero's allegations resonate with concerns about transparency and ethical practices in talent representation.

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While the settlement resolves this particular lawsuit, it raises questions about the practices of talent agencies and their obligations to clients. The outcome may prompt further scrutiny of internal policies at CAA and similar agencies regarding client management and representation.

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