People love to second guess without having any real context or facts. Being judgmental has become a national pastime. Oh, it's red and big... it has to be a firetruck. LOL

We've had plenty of facts here. It's not like this story hasn't been covered. Here's a couple of examples:

https://www.readfrontier.org/stories/funders-of-defunct-sellout-crowd-media-startup-sue-over-business-debt/
https://thelostogle.com/2024/09/18/lawsuit-response-berry-tramel-blames-big-dogs-in-sellout-crowd-debacle

Why was Berry made a guarantor while the big money guys involved, Toby Keith, Bob Stoops and Hunter Miller, shielded themselves from liability?

We've had plenty of facts here. It's not like this story hasn't been covered. Here's a couple of examples:

https://www.readfrontier.org/stories/funders-of-defunct-sellout-crowd-media-startup-sue-over-business-debt/
https://thelostogle.com/2024/09/18/lawsuit-response-berry-tramel-blames-big-dogs-in-sellout-crowd-debacle

Why was Berry made a guarantor while the big money guys involved, Toby Keith, Bob Stoops and Hunter Miller, shielded themselves from liability?This is a standard "private money" loan from a group of well-heeled individuals to a group of entrepreneurs.

Big Dog Media, which included Toby Keith, Bob Stoops, and Hunter Miller, was the lender here and lost approximately $500,000 ($721,500 - $249,719.22). They did not "shield themselves from liability." They provided a $1.5MM line of credit to Sellout Crowd to use for whatever purposes necessary.

Whoever was making the actual business decisions for Sellout Crowd is primarily to blame here. What did they produce for the $500,000 in cash they burned through?

We've had plenty of facts here. It's not like this story hasn't been covered. Here's a couple of examples:

https://www.readfrontier.org/stories/funders-of-defunct-sellout-crowd-media-startup-sue-over-business-debt/
https://thelostogle.com/2024/09/18/lawsuit-response-berry-tramel-blames-big-dogs-in-sellout-crowd-debacle

Why was Berry made a guarantor while the big money guys involved, Toby Keith, Bob Stoops and Hunter Miller, shielded themselves from liability?

There are SOME facts known and a whole lot of judgement with all facts and important context.

This is a standard "private money" loan from a group of well-heeled individuals to a group of entrepreneurs.

Big Dog Media, which included Toby Keith, Bob Stoops, and Hunter Miller, was the lender here and lost approximately $500,000 ($721,500 - $249,719.22). They did not "shield themselves from liability." They provided a $1.5MM line of credit to Sellout Crowd to use for whatever purposes necessary.

Whoever was making the actual business decisions for Sellout Crowd is primarily to blame here. What did they produce for the $500,000 in cash they burned through?

Assuming the other 3 guarantors each had 2.5% ownership like Berry did, then Keith, Stoops and Miller had 90% ownership and none of the legal liability. Plus they were charging the guarantors 12% interest.

Assuming the other 3 guarantors each had 2.5% ownership like Berry did, then Keith, Stoops and Miller had 90% ownership and none of the legal liability. Plus they were charging the guarantors 12% interest."Legal liability?" For what? The loan that they basically made to themselves?

"Legal liability?" For what? The loan that they basically made to themselves?

They weren't the guarantors. Tramel and 3 others were. That's why Keith, Stoops and Miller are suing the other 4.

I think we can all agree this was bad judgment by all parties.

Looks like four people are going to end up going through bankruptcy, all the content creators were out of a job and back pay, and the investors are going to eat hundreds of thousands of dollars.

And has been repeatedly stated, none of this was remotely feasible and they all should have known better.


If you don't want people talking about your personal business dealings: 1) don't choose to work in a profession where you are paid to get the attention of the public; 2) don't start a company that is heavily promoted including billboards and a bunch of lofty promises; 3) don't sue each other in public courts; and 4) don't go to the press to point fingers at others.

^^^^ 100% agree.

I haven't heard Tramel complain about coverage or comments online. I think he can stand up for himself.

^^^^ 100% agree.

I haven't heard Tramel complain about coverage or comments online. I think he can stand up for himself.

He is also compensated for his time on the Sports Animal.

I don't know the man's financial situation. It's none of my buisiness. But as someone who hasn't been in the state very long, he seems respected in the press. Tulsa picked him up pretty quickly.

I enjoy his time on the radio.

I'm not saying he isn't hurting in this whole situation however.

He made $200k/year and is looking to avoid a large creditor by filing bankruptcy and probably plowed all of his money into exempt assets before filing.

Not the same as broke.

The post that spoke of Tram’s income said $200,000 over the two years before he joined Sellout. That’s just $100,000 per year. Not $200,000. Still a nice income, but 1/2 what you stated.

The post that spoke of Tram’s income said $200,000 over the two years before he joined Sellout. That’s just $100,000 per year. Not $200,000. Still a nice income, but 1/2 what you stated.

Records show slightly over $200K each of the last two years.

Records show slightly over $200K each of the last two years.

A veteran writer who is probably the best in his state… I’m surprised it isn't more.

A veteran writer who is probably the best in his state… I’m surprised it isn't more.

*wasn't more.

You can be sure he took a big pay cut to go to the Tulsa World.