When Ocean Resort—the former Revel Atlantic City—and Hard Rock Atlantic City—the former Trump Taj Mahal—opened in June on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, it was clear Hard Rock would be banking on live entertainment and concerts to bring in new customers.
Now Ocean Resort wants a piece of that strategy and has announced a deal with Bowery Presents/AEG for an exclusive booking agreement to bring concerts to the casino’s 4,400-seat Ovation Hall.
“We are excited about our partnership with The Bowery Presents/AEG,” said Bruce Deifik, chairman of AC Ocean Walk, LLC, the organization that operates the Ocean Resort Casino. “Being able to combine their experience and expertise in the world of entertainment with the extraordinary venue that is Ovation Hall will allow Ocean Resort Casino to offer our guests and visitors a superior experience.”
Shows already announced include the Monkees, Brian McKnight, Tom Segura, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Loggins and the Isley Brothers.
“The combination of the premier artists that we present along with the high-quality operation that Ocean Resort Casino provides will result in an unrivaled fan experience,” said The Bowery Presents/AEG partner Jim Glancy.
Ocean Resort has lagged behind in revenue in Atlantic City’s now nine casino market, but has seen some bright spots, such as in sports betting, where it operates the number one sportsbook in the city.
However, the casino did get some bad news when it was announced that a former manager of a nightclub on the property has sued the casino saying he was pushed out of a financial arrangement and unjustly terminated.
Joseph Morrissey, of Suffolk County, New York, filed a six-count civil lawsuit Dec. 6 in New York State Superior Court against the casino, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Morrissey managed HQ2, the casino’s beach club and nightclub, from April to August and is seeking “an amount not less than $10 million,” according to the suit, for breach of contract, defamation/slander, unjust enrichment and detrimental release.
According to the Press, Morrissey claims he was hired to raise $10 million for the casino opening and, in return, was paid $50,000 and hired as manager of the nightclub.
Morrissey’s suit claims he was to be paid an annual salary of $200,000, to receive 30 percent of HQ2 profits and a 49 percent cut of any proceeds from the sale of the club. By mid-August, Morrissey claims the club had sales totaling nearly $2.3 million, of which he was not properly compensated. According to the court documents, Morrissey was repeatedly denied an accounting of the club’s sales.
Deifik said he was aware of the lawsuit, calling it frivolous and saying Morrissey is not credible, the Press reported.
