Scott Borchetta took to social media and the Big Machine Label Group website to address claims Taylor Swift made earlier in the day.
If you missed today’s news, it all started when the Wall Street Journal broke the news that talent manager Scooter Braun bought Big Machine Records. A few hours after that, Swift spoke out about the news and was clearly upset. The purchase meant that Braun would now own all six of her albums.
Borchetta, who founded the label, took to social media and the label’s website to get his side of the story out there. He shared the link on socials saying, “It’s time to set some things straight.”
According to Borchetta, Swift’s dad, Scott, “was a shareholder in Big Machine Records, LLC.” Prior to the papers being signed, the shareholders got a call informing them of the possible deal. Once they voted, Borchetta says he texted Swift to let her know about the news before the WSJ posted it.
“I guess it might somehow be possible that her dad Scott, 13 Management lawyer Jay Schaudies (who represented Scott Swift on the shareholder calls) or 13 Management executive and Big Machine LLC shareholder Frank Bell (who was on the shareholder calls) didn’t say anything to Taylor over the prior 5 days,” he writes. “I guess it’s possible that she might not have seen my text. But, I truly doubt that she ‘woke up to the news when everyone else did’.”
In his letter, Borchetta goes on to explain the deal he offered Swift before she decided to move on from Big Machine. According to him, if she would have taken the deal, “100% of all Taylor Swift assets were to be transferred to her immediately upon signing the new agreement.”
Swift decided to move to Universal and, prior to the news breaking, she personally texted Borchetta to inform him. The label head shared their polite text conversation about the move in his post. He then went on to address the pop singer’s statements that Braun was a “bully.”
“As to her comments about ‘being in tears or close to it’ anytime my new partner Scooter Braun’s name was brought up, I certainly never experienced that. Was I aware of some prior issues between Taylor and Justin Bieber? Yes. But there were also times where Taylor knew that I was close to Scooter and that Scooter was a very good source of information for upcoming album releases, tours, etc, and I’d reach out to him for information on our behalf.”
“Scooter was never anything but positive about Taylor. He called me directly about Manchester to see if Taylor would participate (she declined). He called me directly to see if Taylor wanted to participate in the Parkland March (she declined). Scooter has always been and will continue to be a supporter and honest custodian for Taylor and her music.”
Before concluding his letter, Borchetta shared a screenshot of the deal Swift could have had with Big Machine. He then finished his letter with, “And, that’s the truth…”
