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Business

Delta exec on Fox Theatre spat: ‘not trying to threaten anybody’

By Matt Kempner
May 20, 2016

Delta's public controversy with the Fox Theatreis a bit of a "tempest in a teapot," said one of the Atlanta airline's senior executives, but that doesn't mean all is forgiven.

Delta has said it would not renew its Fox sponsorship after the nonprofit rented its historic facilities to rival Qatar Airways for a local launch party. The Fox regularly raises money for its operations by providing space for private events. Delta has been a Fox sponsor for more than 20 years. The airline found out about the event after being forwarded an invitation.

Asked whether Delta is warning other partners and vendors to steer away from its rival, Delta chief legal officer Peter Carter said, "We are not sending that message. We are not trying to threaten anybody with respect to anything."

Find out how the controversy unfolded, whether Delta is reconsidering its stance and why Delta and Qatar have a particularly bitter relationship, in my latest Unofficial Business column on myAJC.com.

About the Author

Matt Kempner is an award-winning journalist who seeks out intriguing twists about people and subjects beyond what the AJC might typically cover. A former columnist and editor, his past assignments have included business investigations, energy, the economy, entrepreneurs, big business, consumer spending, politics, government and the environment.

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