SeaWorld Pays $65 Million to Settle ‘Blackfish’-Related Lawsuit
SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. agreed on Tuesday to settle a class-action lawsuit stemming from the scathing 2013 documentary “Blackfish” for $65 million, according to court documents.
“Following more than five years of hard-fought litigation, Class Representatives have reached an agreement with Defendants to resolve all claims asserted in the Action and related claims in exchange for a $65,000,000.00 cash payment pursuant to the Stipulation,” the documents state.
A separate document filed with Security and Exchange Commission says the “proposed settlement does not include or constitute an admission, concession, or finding of any fault, liability, or wrongdoing by the Company or any defendant.” In that document, SeaWorld said it will fund the settlement with about $45.5 million in insurance proceeds and about $19.5 million in cash.
Also Read: Tilikum, SeaWorld Killer Whale Featured in 'Blackfish,' Dies at 36
The lawsuit, filed back in 2014, accused SeaWorld of misleading investors about just how bad business had gotten in the aftermath of the documentary, which accused them of abusing its killer whales.
A trial had been slated to start next month.
In 2015, the theme park reported an 84 percent drop in its net second-quarter income; after a $37.4 million haul in 2014, the park was only able to net $5.8 million in 2015. Total revenues for the quarter fell from $405.2 million in 2014 to $391.6 million, marking a 3 percent drop year over year.
Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.
Ava DuVernay, Netflix Sued Over Portrayal of Interrogation Technique in 'When They See Us'
Netflix Sued by Subjects of 'Afflicted' Docuseries, Accused of Defamation and Fraud