The band hopes to squash “irrelevant” claims

Mötley Crüe has asked for their legal war with former guitarist Mick Mars to be moved out of the public and into private arbitration, where they claim it belongs.

TMZ reports the band has filed new legal docs claiming several different entities were created over the years to handle varying aspects of the band’s business, including touring and recording, with those agreements containing arbitration clauses. Therefore, all grievances any member may have must be handled in private arbitration instead of the public court system.

The band is also asking the court to strike statements Mars has made about the band, which include harrowing allegations of substance abuse and physical violence. The group claims those allegations are irrelevant to Mars’ case and was used “for purposes of character assassination.”

Mars’ attorney, Ed McPherson, downplays the request, telling TMZ, “This is yet another attempt by bullies to hide the truth!”

In April, the 71 year old Mars filed a lawsuit against his former bandmates after the Crüe decided to take him to arbitration over terms of him retiring from touring. Mars says his 25 percent ownership in the band was diminished to five percent after retiring from the road in late 2022, and is seeking to review the financial records to see what else he may be owed. The band’s litigation attorney, Sasha Frid, calls the suit baseless, after each of the four members signed an amended agreement in 2008 that states no one shall receive any further money if services are not rendered.

In October, Mars and the band made conflicting statements regarding Mars’ future with the group after he announced he was stepping away from touring after 41 years due to ankylosing spondylitis (AS), an inflammatory, arthritic disease that causes vertebrae to fuse. Mars said he “will be no longer be able to tour with the band,” and will “continue as a member of the band, but can no longer handle the rigors of the road.” While the band stated, “We accept Mick’s decision to retire from the band due to the challenges with his health.”