Federal Lawsuit Filed Over Super Bowl Nightclub Cancelation

Nomadic Entertainment Group filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday claiming the events wing of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community unlawfully canceled its nightclub less than a month before the Super Bowl. The traveling nightclub constructed in the Mystic Lake Casino parking lot was set for four days of performances during the week of the big game when it was abruptly canceled Jan. 11.

Four of the performers — The Chainsmokers, Kygo, Florida Georgia Line, and Gwen Stefani — were rescheduled for alternative venues. Ellie Goulding, originally set to perform with Kygo Feb. 2, dropped out of the lineup.

Nomadic, a company associated with the NFL, said it spent about $2.4 million building the 65,000-square-foot temporary nightclub intended to hold 9,000 people.

A spokesperson for Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community announced the cancelation of Club Nomadic after it "determined that it would be impossible to ensure an event that is up to our standards of quality." According to the lawsuit, that statement was false and damaged Nomadic's reputation.

"Nomadic is well-known and highly respected for producing premium events and experiences across the country, providing guests with world class entertainment," Josh Schiller, Nomadic's lawyer, said in a statement. "We believe the event would have been a success in the venue being constructed, and we are confident that Dakota will be held responsible in Court for breach of contract including negligent and fraudulent misrepresentations.”

Poor ticket sales was a likely factor in the Club Nomadic cancelation, the Star Tribune reported. The cheapest tickets available started at $100; VIP offers went for $10,000.

The newspaper noted that Club Nomadic hosted Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars before the Super Bowl in Houston last year. This year's lineup in the Twin Cities features lesser-known acts.

Nomadic Entertainment Group is seeking nearly $7 million in damages against the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, KSTP reported.

In a statement, Willie Hardacker, general legal counsel for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community's entertainment wing, told Patch that "we were fully within our rights to cancel the contract, and will vigorously defend that decision."

Hardacker said the suit will not impact guests visiting Mystic Lake or the entertainment scheduled during the week of the Super Bowl.

Nomadic is still set to host Kelly Clarkson at the Minneapolis Armory on Super Bowl Sunday.

Image courtesy of Nomadic Entertainment Group