Priscilla Presley, the widow of music legend Elvis Presley, is embroiled in a legal battle with her former business partner, Brigitte Kruse, who claims a breach of contract regarding management of Presley’s name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights.
Complex Deal Gone Sour
Priscilla Presley Partners (PPP), founded by Kruse, alleges they helped secure a deal for the A24 movie adaptation of Presley’s memoir, “Elvis and Me,” as well as a settlement in Lisa Marie Presley’s estate dispute. They claim Presley reneged on their agreement, including partnering with controversial figure Keya Morgan, and are suing for breach of contract.
Presley’s camp denies the allegations, stating they discovered “misappropriation of hundreds of thousands of dollars” by Kruse before the lawsuit.
Business Woes and Power Struggles
The suit paints a picture of Presley facing financial difficulties, including selling her surname rights and being close to insolvency. Kruse claims she stepped in to manage Presley’s affairs and addressed the tax liability, but faced pushback from Morgan.
Presley alleges self-dealing by Kruse, including an attempt to purchase her home, and terminated their agreement.
Movie Deal, Missed Opportunities, and Legal Wrangling
PPP claims they played a key role in negotiating the “Priscilla Movie” with director Sofia Coppola and A24, and were excluded from events like the premiere despite their agreement. They also cite missed opportunities and booking requests denied to them.
Presley refutes their involvement in the movie deal and dismisses accusations of excluding them from opportunities.
Legal Maneuvering and Unresolved Questions
Presley claims the lawsuit was wrongly filed in Florida and denies fiduciary duties to PPP. Meanwhile, Kruse seeks damages for her own investments in developing NIL-related projects.
The settlement of Lisa Marie Presley’s estate, involving NIL rights, adds another layer of complexity to the case.
Open Questions and Next Steps
- Did Kruse misappropriate funds as Presley alleges?
- Was the business partnership properly terminated?
- What role did PPP play in the “Priscilla Movie” deal?
- Will Morgan’s past legal issues impact the case?
- How will the court rule on the venue and Presley’s fiduciary duties?
The Presley-Kruse legal battle highlights the complexities of managing celebrity NIL rights and raises questions about trust, responsibility, and financial dealings.
