The deal could be worth $150 million. Live Nation (NYSE:LYV), which is normally in the concert business, is close to a 10-year deal that would give that company a piece of every aspect of the business dealings of rapper Jay-Z. The arrangement could hardly be more broad. According to The Wall Street Journal: "Live Nation would underwrite other of Mr. Carter's (Jay-Z) business ventures in areas such as clothing, out of a fund of $25 million; in the past, Mr. Carter has been involved in clothing and nightclub businesses."
The contract is a huge risk for Live Nation, and one that it probably should not take. Shares in the company have fallen from a 52-week high of $24.09 to $12.70. The firm's profits have been unusually modest. In the final quarter of 2007, LYV had operating income of $4 million on revenue of just of $1 billion. Debt service cost the company $16.6 million. The company has long-term debt of just under $1 billion.
While signing up huge stars for long contracts may seem to be attractive, a lot can go wrong over ten years, especially if the star in question loses much of his popularity. Live Nation has a similar deal with Madonna. Perhaps that is why the company's shares have done so poorly
Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.
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