Isaiah Laing, head of Supreme Promotions, which stages
the huge Sting concert on Boxing Day annually has a J$10
million budget problem and rising.
Vybz Kartel is said to be demanding Us$100,000
(approximatelyJ$9 million) from the Supreme promoters
to battle the two alliance deejays at the same time.
At the launch of Sting on Tuesday night, Laing said Elephant
Man was running from a lyrical face-off with Flippa Mafia and,
as a result the 'Energy God' would not be on the show.
However, Elephant Man says he is not running from a clash. Elephant
Man says he is willing to clash Flippa Mafia at Sting if promoter Isaiah
Laing is willing to pay him Us$55,000 (approximatelyJ$5 million).
Since Guinness gave up the title sponsorship of Sting, they have
not had a sponsor pick up that huge role of title sponsorship causing
the budget shortfall.
However, there is a much more immediate need and Laing says
Sting does not have sponsorship in its all-important platinum, gold
and silver categories.
A platinum sponsor is required to put in US$500,000 on a three-year
commitment and gets title sponsorship. A contribution of US$200,000
secures a gold categorisation and presenting sponsorship status, while
an investment of US$90,000 is necessary for silver, or service sponsorship.