Range Counters CAA: Noncompetes Called Illegal Weapons

Range Media Partners has launched a sharp counter-attack against CAA, filing a cross-complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court. The complaint alleges that CAA has engaged in a deliberate and unlawful campaign to impede Range's growth by weaponizing illegal noncompete agreements. Range claims CAA threatens employees with the loss of vested equity if they consider moving to Range, a practice they argue is vindictive and attacks the core principles of employee mobility and fair competition protected by California law.

The legal dispute, which originated with CAA's lawsuit over alleged poaching in late 2023, has intensified significantly. Range's filing asserts that CAA wields void noncompete provisions despite full awareness of their illegality, targeting prospective Range hires with threats not faced by those leaving for other management companies. This move escalates the ongoing legal and arbitration battles between the two entities, including disputes over tens of millions of dollars in former agents' vested equity.

Range's legal team highlighted that noncompete agreements are long disallowed in California, reinforced by recent legislation like Senate Bill 699, which makes enforcing them a civil violation. The company contends that CAA's actions, including threats to cancel equity, have caused substantial harm by preventing agents from joining Range. The lawsuit seeks damages and an injunction, aiming to end what Range describes as CAA's bullying and flagrant violation of California law.