What a spunky dude this one is. At age 65 Azoff should be playing shuffleboard not getting sassy with a mega company. This is why I suddenly find this guy so cool.
Keep in mind this is the guy who pretty much made a monopoly out of entertainment ticketing by merging Live Nation with Ticket Master. Brilliant move and well deserved accolade and compensation are warranted (if you think of this in a business manner rather than as a consumer- the guy is a genius, he screwed us all!)
. 'After successfully overseeing the integration of Live Nation and Ticketmaster over the past two years, my job here is done. We put together the leading company across concert promotion, ticketing, sponsorship and artist management and delivered the great results promised by the merger,' said Mr. Azoff. 'I especially enjoyed my time with my partner Michael Rapino, and he has demonstrated the ability to lead this company from now on. I'm looking forward to returning to the entrepreneurial world and continuing to work with all my friends and colleagues at Live Nation.'
In an interview later in the day with publication “The Wrap” Azoff was a lot more blunt about reasons for his departure. 'Life at a public company ain't for me,' he said. 'The board pays you what your worth, then you get reamed for your compensation. They don't like the way you elect directors, you should be giving options. It's horseshit. You can't be an entrepreneur and work in a public company anymore.'
When is the last time you heard someone say ‘horseshit’? I’m thinking your grand pappy said it, that’s about it. According to the Wall Street Journal, Azoff was paid $12 million in cash for his departure and is selling his 2 million shares and 664,000 options back to the company. Ya gotta love that the guy was paid to leave.
There are many models of old school dirty business but I do believe Azoff is the new king. Horseshit indeed.