Business
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.

Follow Matt Kempner on facebookFollow Matt Kempner on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Georgia and Florida wildlife officials work to disentangle right whale No. 5217, called Division, off St. Simons Island on Dec. 4. (Courtesy o Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute)

Credit: Special

Two-day effort helps free endangered right whale off Georgia coast

Georgia state officials helped disentangle a North American right whale, one of the most endangered whales on the planet.

1h ago

That low car payment could cost you more in the long run. A lot more.

About a quarter of all car loans now run longer than 72 months, according to Cox Automotive data.

Centennial Yards’ rise heralds a new downtown Atlanta

The $5 billion Centennial Yards project is rising within the 50-acre hole long known as the Gulch, an area once thought to be too complex to ever be developed.

The Latest

Ultralong 84-month loans make new cars look budget-friendly. The real price shows up in interest and negative equity. (David Guralnick/The Detroit News/TNS)

Credit: TNS

That low car payment could cost you more in the long run. A lot more.

OPINION

Nissan’s e-Power: An EV driving experience, fueled by gas

OPINION

December car sales are good but not magic

Featured

Waymo autonomous vehicles operate across 65 square miles inside I-285 and have been involved in six incidents with Atlanta Public School buses since May. Waymo issued a recall because of their cars briefly stopping or slowing down before continuing forward while a bus was stopped and flashing its lights. (Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools)

Credit: Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools

Waymo cars ignored stopped school buses in Atlanta. What happens now?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation. The autonomous vehicle company has issued a software recall.

Search for new MARTA chief hits snag

The search for a new leader for the regional transit authority is widely seen as one of the most important duties facing the Marta Board

Georgia high school coach choked player, put another in headlock, warrants say

The Greene County High coach was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of simple battery, according to investigators.