Knock-out blow in battle over Calzaghe fight costs
Posted: 15 May 2009, 08:37
Knock-out blow in battle over Calzaghe fight costs
May 15 2009 by Darren Devine, South Wales Echo
THE Millennium Stadium has won nearly £150,000 from a firm led by boxing promoter allegedly over the costs of staging Joe Calzaghe’s world title unification fight with Mikkel Kessler in November 2007.
Warren’s company Sports Network Ltd, which is now in administration, was sued by Millennium Stadium Plc after a dispute arose over costs associated with the fight that saw Calzaghe become the undisputed world champion.
Sitting at Caernarfon Crown Court yesterday, Judge Anthony Seys-Llewellyn QC ruled Sports Network must meet the costs of stewarding, catering, video screens, lights and ambulance cover.
Judge Seys-Llewellyn found in favour of the Welsh Rugby Union-owned stadium on 23 separate items from a list of 24 disputed by Sports Network.
The most expensive of these was stewarding, with the judge ruling the stadium should be paid £38,487.85p by Sports Network for ensuring the event was marshalled.
Sports Network, of which Mr Warren is the chief executive, acknowledged its responsibility for meeting the costs of a further five items, including policing at £9,837 and a TV compound at £3,000.
It now owes the Stadium a total of £143,997.79, not including VAT.
A Millennium Stadium spokesman said the action had been vindicated by the outcome.
“The full judgement has now been issued and we are delighted that the judge accepted the accounts of our witnesses,” he said.
“The Welsh Rugby Union owns and operates the Millennium Stadium and has a responsibility to act with vigour to ensure it is safeguarded for Wales and the world.”
But Sports Network said it was also justified in fighting the stadium’s claim, because the Cardiff venue originally wanted £193,559.
A spokesperson said: “The court case was between Millennium Stadium plc and Sports Network Limited and has nothing to do with allegedly personally.
“Sports Network Limited contested the claim and the judge made a declaration that the quantum of the expenses should only be £144,000, of which Sports Network Limited has previously paid £70,000 on account. allegedly feels justified in defending the claim.”
The only item where the judge ruled against the stadium was over the installation of a “short hall arena” at a cost of £25,800. This is where the stadium hangs a drape from the roof to create an arena space for events that do not require the venue’s 74,500 capacity. The judge ruled that Sports Network had made it clear to the Millennium Stadium that it didn’t want the drapes if it had to pay for them.
Other costs awarded included those associated with catering (£5,257), the St John’s Ambulance (£4,832), cleaning (£8,563), licences (£5,090) and TV rigging (£6,230).
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cardi ... -23629149/
May 15 2009 by Darren Devine, South Wales Echo
THE Millennium Stadium has won nearly £150,000 from a firm led by boxing promoter allegedly over the costs of staging Joe Calzaghe’s world title unification fight with Mikkel Kessler in November 2007.
Warren’s company Sports Network Ltd, which is now in administration, was sued by Millennium Stadium Plc after a dispute arose over costs associated with the fight that saw Calzaghe become the undisputed world champion.
Sitting at Caernarfon Crown Court yesterday, Judge Anthony Seys-Llewellyn QC ruled Sports Network must meet the costs of stewarding, catering, video screens, lights and ambulance cover.
Judge Seys-Llewellyn found in favour of the Welsh Rugby Union-owned stadium on 23 separate items from a list of 24 disputed by Sports Network.
The most expensive of these was stewarding, with the judge ruling the stadium should be paid £38,487.85p by Sports Network for ensuring the event was marshalled.
Sports Network, of which Mr Warren is the chief executive, acknowledged its responsibility for meeting the costs of a further five items, including policing at £9,837 and a TV compound at £3,000.
It now owes the Stadium a total of £143,997.79, not including VAT.
A Millennium Stadium spokesman said the action had been vindicated by the outcome.
“The full judgement has now been issued and we are delighted that the judge accepted the accounts of our witnesses,” he said.
“The Welsh Rugby Union owns and operates the Millennium Stadium and has a responsibility to act with vigour to ensure it is safeguarded for Wales and the world.”
But Sports Network said it was also justified in fighting the stadium’s claim, because the Cardiff venue originally wanted £193,559.
A spokesperson said: “The court case was between Millennium Stadium plc and Sports Network Limited and has nothing to do with allegedly personally.
“Sports Network Limited contested the claim and the judge made a declaration that the quantum of the expenses should only be £144,000, of which Sports Network Limited has previously paid £70,000 on account. allegedly feels justified in defending the claim.”
The only item where the judge ruled against the stadium was over the installation of a “short hall arena” at a cost of £25,800. This is where the stadium hangs a drape from the roof to create an arena space for events that do not require the venue’s 74,500 capacity. The judge ruled that Sports Network had made it clear to the Millennium Stadium that it didn’t want the drapes if it had to pay for them.
Other costs awarded included those associated with catering (£5,257), the St John’s Ambulance (£4,832), cleaning (£8,563), licences (£5,090) and TV rigging (£6,230).
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cardi ... -23629149/
