The rapper Flo Rida is walking out of a Florida courtroom with a larger net worth after winning his lawsuit against the Celsius Energy Drink company. 

 

 What Happened

Flo Rida, whose real name is Tramar Dillard, was awarded $82.6 million after suing Celsius. Here’s how he got it. In 2014, before the energy drink was a well-known brand, Dillard entered into an endorsement deal with the brand. In 2016 he renewed the agreement. He claims the company owed him money, stock options, and other bonuses from the endorsement deal, so in 2021, Dillard filed a lawsuit.

Flo Rida’s Argument

Here’s why you should always read contracts or create a detailed one. Dillard’s team claims the agreement was vague, preventing him from cashing in. The bonuses were promised if specific sales goals were met. Those goals included 500,000 shares of stock via the contract and another 250,000 shares of stock if a certain number of units of products were sold. According to Dillard’s lawyers, the contract never clarified the unit type. Neither did the contract give a specific deadline or timeframe for selling those units. According to Forbes, Flo Rida says he helped birth the company, which shares now trade at over $100.

Celsius Energy Drink Argument

The defendants argued the statute of limitations for Flo Rida to bring the complaint had passed. The company claims its deal with the rapper ended in 2018. The brand’s legal team also argued it reached its highest level of success after the endorsement deal ended. It also claimed other business decisions led to increased sales and stock value. 

Verdict

A jury determined the defense failed to show the plaintiffs waived their right to seek more compensation. Flo Rida was given the 1% ownership he was promised. The rapper says he still drinks the energy drink and is an owner in the company, so he hopes to work with the company again. Celsius can file an appeal, but there is yet to be a word if the company will.

 

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