News

Executives behind basketball ace-turned-reality TV star Shaquille O'Neal's hit show Shaq Vs. have reached a settlement with a disgruntled author who alleged they stole his concept for the programme.

Writer Todd Gallagher filed suit against O'Neal's talent representatives at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment in October, claiming they had agreed to turn his book, Andy Roddick Beat Me with a Frying Pan, into a TV series in 2008.

In court papers, he alleged he was forced out of the project before William Morris bosses decided to go ahead with the idea with O'Neal, another of their clients, instead. The show featured O'Neal competing against other top sporting athletes at their own game.

Gallagher reached out to the company to discuss a settlement over the new TV deal but decided to take legal action and sued for $5 million (£3.3 million) when his demands for a meeting were not met.

The court case has now been dismissed after the two parties reached a deal. The details of the settlement have not been released to the press but is said to be in the six-figures, according to TMZ.com.

Todd's lawyer confirms to the website, "The matter has been amicably resolved."...

'Shaq Vs.' Rip-Off Case -- Six-Figure Settlement

The people behind Shaq's ABC reality show "Shaq Vs." finally reached a deal with the writer who claimed they jacked his idea -- and TMZ has learned it all ended with a sweet six-figure settlement.

As TMZ first reported, a writer named Todd Gallagher sued the Endeavor Talent Agency back in 2009 for allegedly stealing the idea behind his book "Andy Roddick Beat Me with a Frying Pan" and turning it into "Shaq Vs."

Todd's book was basically a collection of stories featuring mainly himself engaged in sports challenges with pros like Andy Roddick ... who agreed to play with handicaps like frying pans instead of tennis rackets.

But recently, the case was dismissed after the two sides reached a secret agreement.

Todd's lawyer tells TMZ, the "matter has been amicably resolved" -- and sources close to the situation tell us it involved a...

The people behind Shaq 's ABC reality show " Shaq Vs. " finally reached a deal with the writer who claimed they jacked his idea -- and TMZ has learned it all ended with a sweet six-figure settlement. As TMZ first reported, a writer named Todd Gallagher sued the Endeavor Talent Agency back in 2009 for allegedly stealing the idea behind his book " Andy Roddick Beat Me with a Frying Pan " and turning it into " Shaq Vs. " Todd's...

The alphabet network has given the go-ahead for a second round of episodes for Shaq Vs.

Shaq Vs follows basketball star Shaquille O'Neal as he competes in other sports against other top athletes. During the first season, he took on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, first baseman Albert Pujols, fighter Oscar de la Hoya, swimmer Michael Phelps, and volleyball champions Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh. Though O'Neal was given a handicap advantage, he lost in all five episodes.

The first season of the reality series ran last summer on ABC to low ratings. It also became the subject of a lawsuit from sportswriter Todd Gallagher over the concept. Still, the network feels the show's worth another try. They've renewed Shaq Vs for a second round of six episodes.

According to producers, the second season won't rely soley on sports matches. There are...

You may have missed it but, during the summer months, ABC ran a reality show called Shaq Vs. The series pits basketball star Shaquille O'Neal against other top athletes in their area of expertise. Competitors include quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, first baseman Albert Pujols, fighter Oscar de la Hoya, and swimmer Michael Phelps. Big names, but the show drew a small audience.

Though it already seems pretty certain that Shaq Vs won't be back for another season, a new lawsuit may help seal the reality show's fate for good.

Earlier this week, sports writer and TV producer Todd Gallagher filed a lawsuit against the William Morris Endeavor agency and Media Rights Capital, the companies behind the show. According to THR, Gallagher says that they stole his idea for the series and he wants $5 million.

Filed in Los Angeles Superior...

Basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal is at the centre of a $5 million (£3.5 million) lawsuit over his Shaq Vs. sports show amid accusations the concept was stolen.

Author Todd Gallagher filed suit at Los Angeles' District Court on Tuesday (060ct09) alleging bosses at his talent agency, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, agreed to turn his book, Andy Roddick Beat Me with a Frying Pan, into a TV series last year.

Gallagher claims he was then pushed out of the project, which went ahead with another William Morris client - O'Neal.

The writer's legal team wrote to William Morris executives to discuss a settlement, threatening legal action if the meeting didn't happen before O'Neal's show aired in August.

William Morris bosses refused to negotiate with Gallagher - and he is now suing for $5 million in damages, according to TMZ.com.