Chance the Rapper Just Won $35 to Prove a Point About Handshake Deals

A Chicago jury rejected a $3.8 million claim from Chance the Rapper’s former manager Pat Corcoran on Friday, ending a bitter six-year legal dispute over an unwritten sunset clause. Chance originally countersued for $1 million over breach of fiduciary duty. He won the claim. The jury awarded him exactly $35.

Corcoran, who managed Chance through his Coloring Book peak, claimed they had a verbal agreement entitling him to 15 percent of net profits for three years post-termination. His legal team argued that Chance’s recent 2025 album Star Line dropping off the Billboard 200 after one week proved Corcoran's value.

Chance’s team pointed to 24,000 unfulfilled merchandise orders and self-enrichment by Corcoran. The jury ruled in Chance's favor, legally clearing him of the $3.8 million debt and ordering the return of the ChanceRaps.com domain.

But the $35 payout on a million-dollar countersuit is the real verdict. Corcoran’s lawyer told reporters the message to the industry is clear: “Get it in writing.” Chance told reporters he claimed victory in the name of the Lord. Neither side got paid, but the cost of operating a multi-million dollar indie enterprise on handshake deals is finally on the public record.