Diddy settles his racial discrimination lawsuit in opposition to spirits juggernaut Diageo, formally ending the partnership.
Sean “Diddy” Combs and spirits big Diageo introduced Tuesday, January 16, that they’ve settled their ongoing authorized dispute and dissolved their partnership over Cîroc Vodka and DeLeón Tequila.
“Mr. Combs has withdrawn all of his allegations in opposition to Diageo and can voluntarily dismiss his lawsuits in opposition to Diageo with prejudice,” reads a joint assertion from each events to DMN. “As such, Diageo and Mr. Combs haven’t any ongoing enterprise relationship, both with respect to Cîroc Vodka or DeLeón Tequila, which Diageo now solely owns.”
In Might, Combs sued Diageo with allegations that the corporate had uncared for the DeLeón model they co-owned. As a substitute, the lawsuit says Diageo showered sources on its different two tequila manufacturers, Don Julio and Casamigos. Combs additionally accused Diageo of racial discrimination, claiming the corporate had written DeLeón off as “city” and had described it as a “Black model.”
Diageo introduced in June that it was ending its partnership with Combs over his supposed breach of contract for revealing proprietary info in his lawsuits filed in opposition to them. The corporate claims that Combs was paid “practically $1 billion” over time they labored collectively.
The partnership started in 2007 to develop Diageo’s Cîroc model, with Combs dealing with the model’s strategic advertising and dealing with the corporate to develop new merchandise inside the line. That led to speedy gross sales progress for Cîroc.
In 2013, Combs regarded to money in on tequila’s rising recognition in the USA, forming a three way partnership with Diageo to buy DeLeón — on the time a little-known model that was largely bought in Hollywood bars for $1,000 a bottle.
Monetary phrases of the settlement between Combs and Diageo haven’t been disclosed. Nonetheless, given the sexual assault allegations which have since cropped up in opposition to Combs, Diageo might have been fast to show up the stress within the hopes of a fast decision.
Diddy’s consideration is seemingly centered elsewhere, having introduced he wouldn’t attend the 2024 Grammy Awards, regardless of receiving his first nomination in 20 years.