Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) has settled a multi-million dollar talent poaching lawsuit with Grupo Radio Centro after almost two years, and in advance of an upcoming trial.
The settlement terms were not disclosed, protected by a confidentiality provision. SBS announced the agreement late on Friday, January 12, stating all pending legal proceedings between the parties are now resolved.
SBS sued GRC in California in February of 2016, immediately after its L.A. rival hired on-air radio personality Martín Romero Hernández, aka “El Ratón” from SBS’s KLAX-FM to join GRC’s “Radio Centro 93.9” KXOS.
SBS accused GRC of tortious interference and unfair competition. The complaint listed 11 employees that left SBS for GRC during a two-and-a-half-year period, including Ricardo Sánchez “El Mandril” and exec Bill Shadorf, who left his role as VP and Regional Manager at SBS to become EVP and GM at GRC.
“We are extremely pleased to have amicably resolved the matter,” stated SBS General Counsel Richard Lara. “As has always been its practice, SBS will not hesitate to take legal action when necessary to defend its contractual rights and business interests.”
The 2016 sought actual and compensatory damages, putative damages, attorney’s fees and a court order preventing GRC from soliciting SBS employees and exploiting its confidential and proprietary business information.
