THE BLIND SIDE Producers Speak Out About Michael Oher Controversy
By Movieguide® Contributor
Two of THE BLIND SIDE producers have spoken up about the controversy surrounding the Tuohy family and their relationship with Michael Oher.
“Alcon co-founders Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove released a statement speaking out against what they call ‘mischaracterizations and uninformed opinions,’” Relevant Magazine reported.
Oher’s petition states that his conservators, Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, deceived him into agreeing to a conservatorship. They allegedly did this to benefit from his name and keep profits that would otherwise be his.
“It is important to note that in 2006, the nature of life rights deals for books, documentaries and film, as well as the limitations of what college athletes were able to do and maintain eligibility, were very different than they are today,” Johnson and Koseye said, per the Hollywood Reporter. “Comparing them to today’s marketplace for those rights is akin to comparing a basketball Hall of Famer’s deal from 25 years ago to the nine-figure deals that are prevalent in today’s NBA.”
“The deal that was made by Fox for the Tuohys’ and Michael Oher’s life rights was consistent with the marketplace at that time for the rights of relatively unknown individuals,” they said. “Therefore, it did not include significant payouts in the event of the film’s success.”
“As a result, the notion that the Tuohys were paid millions of dollars by Alcon to the detriment of Michael Oher is false,” the producers’ statement continued. “In fact, Alcon has paid approximately $767,000 to the talent agency that represents the Tuohy family and Michael Oher (who, presumably, took commission before passing it through).”
Johnson and Koseye also responded to comments claiming that the movie presented an “inaccurate depiction” of Oher and his relationship with the family, Relevant Magazine reported.
They stated that the movie is “verifiably authentic and will never be a lie or fake, regardless of the familial ups and downs that have occurred subsequent to the film.”
Author of “The Blind Side” book, Michael Lewis, alleged that Hollywood is at fault, not the Tuohy family.
Lewis said, “It’s outrageous how Hollywood accounting works, but the money is not in the Tuohys’ pockets,” according to the Washington Post.
Movieguide® recently reported:
The Tuohys have refuted these allegations, saying they were told they couldn’t adopt Oher as he was 18 years old at the time. The couple also claim they have not made money off their relationship with Oher.
‘It’s upsetting that people would think I would want to make money off any of my children, Sean told The Daily Memphian. ‘We were never offered money; we never asked for money. My financial history is meticulously documented; you can verify how much my company was sold for.’
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
