Manager's $3.8M Claim Against Chance Denied by Jury

In a significant legal victory, a Chicago jury has sided with Chance the Rapper, rejecting a substantial claim filed by his former manager, Pat Corcoran. Corcoran had sought $3.8 million in unpaid commissions, citing a "sunset clause" for work performed after their professional relationship ended. Crucially, the jury found that no written contract existed to support these claims.

Chance, born Chancelor Bennett, had countersued Corcoran in 2021, alleging breaches of fiduciary duty and exploitation of career opportunities. While the jury largely supported Chance's position, they awarded him a nominal $35 in damages, significantly less than the $1 million he had sought.

The verdict brings a close to a protracted legal battle that began when Corcoran first sued Chance in 2020. Attorneys for Corcoran emphasized the importance of written agreements in management, while Chance's legal team argued that Corcoran's claims were driven by greed and a desire for compensation he did not deserve.

During the trial, both sides presented arguments regarding an alleged oral agreement from 2013. Corcoran's team highlighted his integral role in Chance's rise to fame, including the success of "Coloring Book." Conversely, Chance's lawyers contended that Corcoran prioritized his own ventures and neglected the rapper's projects, pointing to unfulfilled merchandise orders and Corcoran's alleged self-enrichment.

The jury's decision underscores the challenges of oral agreements in the music industry and the complexities of disentangling business partnerships that turn sour. The $35 award to Chance, though minimal, signifies the jury's finding against Corcoran's primary claims.