Sean “Diddy” Combs has been ordered to pay NBCUniversal $477,700.50 in attorneys’ fees after the media company successfully defended itself against his $100 million defamation lawsuit over the documentary “Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy.”
Diddy Legal Drama
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, the judge ordered Combs to cover part of NBCUniversal’s legal expenses after the company initially sought $990,292. Although the judge considered some of the billing to be excessive, resulting in a reduction of more than $512,000.
Combs filed the lawsuit in February 2025 against NBCUniversal and production company Ample, alleging the documentary caused him “severe reputational and economic harm.” His legal team argued that the film portrayed him as a criminal and made damaging allegations involving murder, sexual assault, and sex trafficking.
The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed.
Combs’ representative, Juda Engelmayer, told TMZ that the ruling was “only half the story,” emphasizing that the judge rejected a substantial portion of NBCUniversal’s original request.
Engelmayer also criticized the company’s legal billing, saying the court found “substantial portions” of the charges “excessive and unreasonable.”
The ruling comes as Combs faces additional legal battles. Last month, attorneys at Sher Tremonte sought to withdraw from a separate $50 million defamation lawsuit involving NewsNation and other defendants. Court filings cited unpaid legal fees and expenses, with the firm stating that Combs was “in substantial arrears.”
Combs filed that lawsuit in January 2025 over claims involving alleged sex tapes.
The music mogul is also serving a 50-month federal prison sentence after being convicted in July 2025 on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution under the federal Mann Act. He was acquitted of the more serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.
Diddy’s net worth, once estimated to exceed $1 billion, has reportedly fallen to about $300 million. His fortune was built largely through lucrative spirits partnerships, including Cîroc vodka, and music assets.
