Jim Dolan and Irving Azoff’s Partnership Started with a Snake

Adam and Eve were brought together in the most disastrous joint venture of all time with a snake. According to the New York Post, a snake also brought Jim Dolan and Irving Azoff together, but in what promises to be a more productive joint venture announced in early September. Azoff, the legendary music manager of such talents as The Eagles, Neil Diamond, Seal, Van Halen and Christine Aguilera, was executive Chairman of Live Nation Entertainment until 2012. During that time, he cultivated a friendship with James Dolan who sat on the board of the company while Dolan served as executive chairman of Madison Square Garden.

The two cemented a partnership earlier this month to combine forces under the name of Azoff MSG Entertainment, to put music management, digital production and live entertainment under one roof. Azoff serves as CEO, while Dolan will invest $125 million to have 50% interest in the company, and will provide $50 million in revolving credit loans.

But Dolan told the New York Post what inspired him to strike a a deal with Azoff, aside from their association at Live Nation. Basically, Dolan thinks Azoff is bad ass. Forget about horse’s heads from the Godfather movie. Azoff once delivered a snake to deliver a very strong message. The incident was mentioned in Frank Dannen’s book “Hit Men: Power Brokers and Fast Money Inside the Music Business.”

Azoff’s wife Shelli was involved in a spat with music manager Michael Lippman, who managed George Michael and Matchbox Twenty. Lippman invited Irving to a party but request he not bring Shelli, because of the longstanding feud. Shelli had two snakes delivered right to Lippman’s doorstep with a note; “Now you’ve got two snakes.”