Motley Crue Wins Legal Dispute With Former Guitarist Mick Mars

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Motley Crue has won a decisive legal victory over its former guitarist Mick Mars, following an ongoing legal dispute that began after Mars retired from the band in 2022.

Mars alleged that his former bandmates were withholding financial compensation and colluded to remove him from the group. He claimed he was owed 25% of the band's touring revenue, despite no longer being an active member. Motley Crue argued that Mars's demand violated a prior agreement signed by all band members.

During the proceedings, Mars also accused bassist Nikki Sixx of not playing during the band's 2022 Stadium Tour, a claim Sixx denied.

In a decision announced Thursday, an independent arbitrator ruled in favor of Motley Crue, stating that Mars forfeited any right to touring revenue when he left the group. Mars was also ordered to pay more than $750,000 in unrecouped tour advances.

Motley Crue said in a statement that the ruling "not only vindicates the band contractually and financially but also dismantles the public narrative Mars promoted in interviews with major outlets."

The band added that Mars "was forced to admit under oath that his statements were false" regarding the alleged fake performances. According to Motley Crue, Mars's own expert confirmed the band performed live and Mars formally recanted his prior claims during sworn testimony.

"This dispute was about protecting the integrity and legacy of one of the most successful bands in rock history," the band's legal team said in a statement. "With the arbitrator rejecting every claim and enforcing the parties' agreements as written, the band has been fully vindicated-legally, financially, and factually."

Mars has not commented on the decision. Motley Crue is scheduled to embark on a nationwide tour this summer.