Olympic figure skater Oksana Baiul is suing NBC Universal as well as a television skating program producer.
The Associated Press reported that Baiul who won a gold medal in the 1994 Olympics said that Disson Skating LLC offered her a deal to skate in two shows that were to air on NBC. In the lawsuit it says that Baiul declined the offer and never received a contract and did not sign anything.
Regardless of her saying no, she says that her name and likeness were used as advertising on two radio websites and that she was named in a press release for the show.
She is seeking $5 million in damages because she said her reputation was marred because it made her look like a "no-show."
The two shows were on Dec. 15, 2022 with the group Styx and a show in Jan. 19, 2012 show with singer Kenny G. She did not
"(That) damages her goodwill with her loyal fans that purchased tickets (often months in advance) expecting to see her perform," Baiul's suit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, says according to The New York Daily News.
Stephen Disson said that his company had never publicly disclosed the negotiations to have Baiul appear in the shows.
"It's just weird," he said to The New York Daily News. According to Disson Baiul's agent called him on July 18, 2011 to ask if he would book Baiul on a show. He then says he offered her the two spots on upcoming shows.
"Each time she had been a little flaky. One time, she didn't show up. She was out shopping. Another time, she refused to do a retake after she had fallen," he said to New York Daily News. "She was grateful for a third chance. We had a good talk. I said I'd send a contract."
Three weeks later Disson said that Baiul's agent sent him an email saying that Baiul didn't want to do the shows anymore.
Disson claims he tried to call her and he got an email from that said, "stop calling," so he did.
Baiul also made headlines last November when she sued the William Morris Agency on claims that they owed her more than $1 million for not properly accounting for the money she made.
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