LOS ANGELES (UPI) -- It's unclear what kind of financial hit U.S. concert promoter AEG Live will take with the death of Michael Jackson, sources say.

Quoting unnamed people familiar with the situation, The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that AEG had paid Jackson $20 million in cash advances for a planned 50-night engagement at London's O2 arena, and had spent another $10 million to stage rehearsals for the show in Los Angeles.

AEG could seek repayment of the $20 million from Jackson's estate, but the newspaper said it was less clear if it could regain the rehearsal expenses.

AEG Live is a unit of Denver billionaire Phil Anschutz's Anschutz Corp., which also owns the Staples Center in Los Angeles where Jackson rehearsed.

Sources told the newspaper AEG has insurance but may not collect because such claims are usually denied if it can be shown concerts are canceled due to drug-related deaths or injuries. Several people close to the Jackson family have voiced repeated suspicions his collapse and death may have been caused by prescription drugs.

Kenny Ortega, the director of Jackson's "This Is It" comeback concert series, told the Los Angeles Times he would like the planned series to be transformed into a tribute to Jackson. Ortega -- who directed and choreographed "High School Musical," "Dirty Dancing" and the "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour" -- told the Times he would like to use some of the choreography and staging from "This Is It" for a Jackson tribute.

"He's so beloved in the world, somehow, perhaps we can find a way to pay tribute to his mind, talent, vision and heart," Ortega said.

"There must be a hundred ways we can celebrate this man's legacy," he said. "Broadway. Movies. Vegas." :(



Copyright 2009 by United Press International

__________________

Tired of waiting days for fixes? Click here to get 3000 channels.. NO DOWNTIME, Guaranteed!

Have read the Jackson family is spending zilch on this whole extravaganza with California footing the whole tab...Luck they have loads O money huh!

Yeah, like California has tons of money to waste. All to commemorate a pedo. Wake up people!! I don't care how much talent he had, if he wasn't rich he would have rotted in jail.

Ya he probably would still be alive if he was in jail........

You guys kill me about talking bad about the dead. If I am not mistaken he was found innocence on all counts, but i guess in America that doesn't count. So I guess that if you were found innocent on a felony (that the boy finally admitted it was false) you will still want to be known as a felon. His daughter and other 2 kids have never been abused or molested by their father like you guys think he would have done. Also, I was fortunate to be present at the event and let me tell you the City of LA made big money. Most hotels were sold out and people had to eat so if you put that money in the equation that people paid including myself I am sure the city made plenty of money off that event. :mad:

__________________
"It's tough to stay married. My wife kisses the dog on the lips, yet she won't drink from my glass". Rodney Dangerfield:D

"This morning when I put on my underwear I could hear the fruit-of-the-loom guys laughing at me". Rodney Dangerfield:D

"I get no respect. The way my luck is running, if I was a politician I would be honest".
Rodney Dangerfield


"My husband was so ugly, he used to stand outside the doctor's office and make people sick" Moms Mabley

i heard they are asking people for a donation to pay for the funerial what a joke

It's sad but true, because $17,000 have already been raised through private internet donations!:confused:

__________________

Funny how the kids memories always get fuzzy when you wave enough $$$$ in front of their parents.

The Jackson family should be footing the bill. Not the taxpayers. Glad i don't live in Calif. I' be ****ed.

Tired of waiting days for fixes? Click here to get 3000 channels.. NO DOWNTIME, Guaranteed!