It is with heavy hearts that we have had to ask AJ Menendez to step
down from his title of Mister FLORIDA USofA MI. We were not going to make all
of the details public knowledge, however, seeing as AJ himself put it all out
there himself, we wish to explain the details, bringing about our decision.
Upon winning the title of Mister FLORIDA USofA MI, the winner contract
was gone through line by line by the promoter with the winner. Before signing,
it was asked of the winner if he had any questions regarding the contents of
the contract. By not asking questions and signing the contract, it is meant to
be as understood by BOTH parties as to what is expected of them throughout the
course of the reign.
About 8 weeks ago, AJ entered and won another contest, affording him
another title. (a breach of his contract). AJ accepted a booking as this new title holder at another USofA MI
prelim, for after his reign of
Mister FLORIDA was over. We as promoters, overlooked his breach of contract by
entering another contest, seeing as he was courteous enough to wait until his
reign was over to perform as such.
After lengthy discussions, we all agreed
that no disciplinary action would be taken, however AJ would have to make a
decision as to whether he wanted to be awarded the Florida Emeritus title for
Florida USofA MI, promoting the system within the state, working the current
reigning OR not accepting the Florida Emeritus title and carry his NEW title
and run with it. AJ chose the latter, which would afford him more opportunity
to travel country wide. As promoters, we completely understood his decision to
do what he felt was best for him.
It came to our attention on Sunday, that AJ performed under his new
title on Saturday night, rather than promoting the Mister FLORIDA USofA MI
competition taking place in 3 weeks. AJ went back on his commitment to the
USofA system and his word to us as his promoters, promising to not accept or
perform anywhere under his new title until after
crowning the new winner and ending his reign with us. A decision had
to be made as to the consequences of his actions, thus resulting in having to
ask him to step down and return his prize package, as per the contract.
When you win a title in a National system, it is so much more than just
a crown and a sash. It’s a year long “job” commitment people!!! It
is an agreement between the pageant system and the winner and requires certain
responsibilities. This agreement is bound by a contract, which is fully
executed, meaning BOTH parties sign it.
The winners “job” with USofA MI is to represent the state
at the National competition, in addition to promoting the competition within
the State for the his/her entire reign.
This is a “job” that we as promoters
“compensate” the winner for up front, with a prize package
consisting of crown, sash, jewelry, cash etc, in trust (with contract) that the
winner would enjoy the rights and privileges of the title and to move freely
throughout the state /country promoting his title and the USofA MI system.
And just for the record, the USofA system requires that the State
promoters sign a contract as well, with the National promoter, which we as
state promoters have to read, understand and execute. Violations of that
contract result in fines, penalties and could mean the loss of promoter status.
Contracts are written to legally protect and bind agreements between 2 or more
parties.
.
With that being said, entering a contest and winning another title,
accepting booking(s) advertising and performing the capacity of the
“other” title while still the reigning Mister FLORIDA USofA MI
constitutes several breaches of the executed contract.
We sincerely wish AJ the best of luck in his future endeavors. We look forward to
our competition to crown a new Mister FLORIDA USofA MI 2010 on October 11th at The Blur in Dunedin!