Michael Jackson’s well-publicized 30^th anniversary concerts hit another snag Friday (7/20), as two of his brothers said they would not participate in the planned reunion, which is slated for Sept. 7 and 10 at Madison Square Garden.

After publicly complaining about the "exorbitant ticket prices" being charged for the event, Jermaine and Randy Jackson said they wouldn’t partake in the shows, according to numerous published reports.

The concerts were billed as the first regrouping of the six Jackson brothers since the 1984 "Victory Tour."

Ticket prices for the extravaganza range from $45 to $2,500. In addition, "special" package deals, which top out at $50,000 for 10 seats and such added goodies as access to Michael and a signed poster, are also being offered (rumor mill, 7/12).

"The exorbitant ticket prices being charged by the promoters will prevent some of our most loyal and true fans from attending the shows," Jermaine and Randy Jackson said Friday in an open letter. "Further, it is almost embarrassing that no charities have been named to benefit from this most momentous occasion."

"With all the suffering that is taking place throughout the world," Jermaine said in a statement, "we feel the show's promoters should donate the proceeds to worthy charities."

Sounds awfully righteous, no?

Insiders offer, however, that perhaps because the disgruntled Jackson 2 were offered only $1,200 to perform, money is actually at the root of this rift, as Michael is poised to bank a fortune from the event and its TV rights.

"Let it be known that despite the $1,200 fee we have each been offered to participate, we would do the shows absolutely free for the legion of Jackson fans who have patiently anticipated a reunion since the Victory Tour [if not for the high ticket prices]," the brothers’ statement said.

World Events President David Gest, producer of the concerts, said in a statement that the Jacksons "will reunite without Jermaine." He added Jackie, Tito and Marlon "will join their brother Michael on stage for this very special reunion." Randy, who was not a member of the Jackson 5, was not mentioned in Gest’s release.

Gest said that 30-guest performers, including NSYNC, Ray Charles, Gloria Estefan, Whitney Houston, Marc Anthony, Mary J. Blige, Ricky Martin and Luther Vandross among others, would earn the same amount of money.

The two brothers also expressed concern about the "endless list of celebrities" sharing the bill with the Jackson brothers.

Confusing matters further, Jackson family spokesman John McLaughlin said, "Jermaine and Randy are planning on attending their brother's event and performing with their brothers on stage."

McLaughlin, a Jackson damage controller, added that Jermaine and Randy’s concerns were aimed primarily at promoters for the high-ticket costs and not at Michael.

Even so, McLaughlin confirmed that neither Jermaine nor Randy had yet signed appearance contracts. That said, Jermaine and Randy, who obviously know who butters their bread, want Michael to know they hold no grudge against him. "The Jackson family is united in their unfailing support of Michael, and there is no rift between Michael and any of his family members."