Howard Has A Third Year Contract Option, Does Sirius XM?

**BethSucks** · 01-26-2013, 03:49 PM

Howard's mentioned a couple of times that he can leave at the end of this year if he wants. It would make sense that SiriusXM also has a buyout option at the end of the year as well. When Howard signed the contract Mel and Greenstein ran the show and his Hampton's cronies like Leon Black were on the board so he figured there's no way they'd option him out. With the new regime in place anything's possible. It could be the reason he's all of a sudden tweaking his show and working on the 101 content.

**TelegramSam** · 01-26-2013, 03:57 PM

I would give anything for that to be true, for Malone to can his ass, and for the money to be used to bring back Fangoria Radio, Fred Schneider's First Wave show, and the original Hard Attack DJs and their metal show.

**AGT Blows** · 01-26-2013, 03:59 PM

If this is true, Wiggy is just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

**Thedomina** · 01-26-2013, 04:07 PM

It is odd all this renewed effort for his "second" job, that he hates and "just wants out". Some people can earn big bucks and walk away and enjoy it (joe pesci, gary shandling) , others cant.

**Dead Air Dave** · 01-26-2013, 04:09 PM

What if 100 or 101 becomes comedy central radio LOL

**Quite Frankly** · 01-26-2013, 04:12 PM

As of January 2014:
H100 is now OutQ100 (H101 cancelled)
O&A 100/O&A 101
MLB 100/NFL 101

Howard's legacy/imprint is so worthless, it's a corpse they need to BURY asap.

**rilagent** · 01-26-2013, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by AGT Blows

If this is true, Wiggy is just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

Well when it became clear that Howard wasn't replacing Artie in 2010, I was positive Howard was retiring. He stripped the show of all the money and all the edgy voices and he was just on autopilot so why improve the show if he was leaving in a years time? Boy was I wrong.

I don't believe a word Howard says about anything. And Wiggy ain't leaving a dime on the table otherwise he never would have re-signed in the first place. So this 3 year option talk is probably bullshit.

**MobyDick** · 01-26-2013, 04:45 PM

why not, Howard stated that the radio thing was part-time now, full steam ahead with AGT.

**Howard103** · 01-26-2013, 05:05 PM

It would be awesome if they got rid of Howard, Robin, and Booey (I would say Fred, but he's more likeable than those 3 assholes), replaced them and kept all the behind the scenes staff... That would be such a kick in the nuts to Howard

**Bababaloney** · 01-26-2013, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by BethSucks

Howard's mentioned a couple of times that he can leave at the end of this year if he wants. It would make sense that SiriusXM also has a buyout option at the end of the year as well. When Howard signed the contract Mel and Greenstein ran the show and his Hampton's cronies like Leon Black were on the board so he figured there's no way they'd option him out. With the new regime in place anything's possible. It could be the reason he's all of a sudden tweaking his show and working on the 101 content.

You're right that anything's possible, especially with Black out of the picture as he was one of Stern's biggest supporters.

However with Sirius / XM doing fairly well I would think they'll just stand pat with what they have and let Stern finish out his contract.
If the company takes a turn for the worse, that could change.

**username** · 01-26-2013, 07:14 PM

Its just Howard bullshit.
The first contract with Sirius had no 3-5 year options.

In his terrestrial radio contracts he usually had a raise each year, and year 3-5 optional with huge raises.

Only reason why Howard would have an option for year 3-5 is if he believes he can get more money. If Howard have 3-5 year options it means that SiriusXM can cancel him WITHOUT COST. This means that this is the last year and would explain why he works so hard.

The biggest problem with that theory is all other people that are hired for 5 years.

**Samurai** · 01-26-2013, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by Bababaloney

However with Sirius / XM doing fairly well I would think they'll just stand pat with what they have and let Stern finish out his contract.
If the company takes a turn for the worse, that could change.

Likely.

Wiggy may have the option to walk away unencumbered at the 3 year point, probably except for a no-compete clause for 2014-2015. I doubt SiriusXM has a similar reverse option. They may have a Stern buyout clause, but I'm sure Buchwald negotiated it as a 70% minimum of remaining contract. I doubt Malone would have ever approved such a contract if he had already been in charge, but he wasn't and he's stuck with it now.

I personally think Wiggy has very few loyal, regular listeners remaining, and even fewer who would outright cancel if Stern departed early. But given the relatively small difference between buyout and retention, I doubt SiriusXM will take the chance.

**Hamptons** · 01-27-2013, 12:37 AM

Artie 100/101

**TelegramSam** · 01-27-2013, 12:40 AM

Originally Posted by Hamptons

Artie 100/101

Fuck yes, assuming they hire someone good to program it, because Artie will put in zero effort or else get pressured and overdose/attempt suicide again. An Artie & Norm morning or afternoon drive show is my ideal Stern replacement.

**Big Bird** · 01-27-2013, 12:47 AM

No chance. Howard isn't leaving any marbles on the table. And I don't see Sirius management cutting him either.

**TelegramSam** · 01-27-2013, 12:53 AM

Originally Posted by Big Bird

No chance. Howard isn't leaving any marbles on the table. And I don't see Sirius management cutting him either.

This is true, but we can still hope that justice will be served. John Malone is the last real threat to Howard, because he needs that radio show to (falsely) sell networks on the idea that beating his fans over the head with shills (AGT) is worth their money. The future is now, or something like that.

**beetlejosh** · 01-27-2013, 02:11 AM

"Is it two companies or one, Robin?"

**washam** · 01-27-2013, 02:26 AM

Don't forget that Homo Howie is suing Sirius. I would think that if he was honestly fearful of his future with Sirius being cut short, he would probably drop his frivolous lawsuit. If he goes through with the suit and wins, or loses and it costs Sirius a fortune, Malone may cut anchor with Stern out of spite.

Also, I wouldn't doubt it if Malone is currently trying to get a more accurate depiction of Stern's audience size/"ratings". Assuming THSS's numbers are as bad as many of us believe, that may be all the reason Malone needs to send the Wig's ass packin'.

**Nemo** · 01-27-2013, 05:24 AM

Originally Posted by BethSucks

Howard's mentioned a couple of times that he can leave at the end of this year if he wants. It would make sense that SiriusXM also has a buyout option at the end of the year as well. When Howard signed the contract Mel and Greenstein ran the show and his Hampton's cronies like Leon Black were on the board so he figured there's no way they'd option him out. With the new regime in place anything's possible. It could be the reason he's all of a sudden tweaking his show and working on the 101 content.

0.0 chance Stern would ever leave any easy marbles on the table.
I highly doubt Don would give Sirius a way to boot the wig to the curb.
I think Sterns plan was always to delegate the revolution to his people to whip up lots of endless fake filler. He allows them to work outside the show as long as it creates hours of radio filler.
My question is does Sterns contract give him more days off this year?
Will he disappear from his shitty radio job for a month at a time this year?
Is he preparing his staff for life after stern. I gotta believe Sterns next radio contract will never be close to the money he is earning now.
Stern ain't paying Booey 800+ thousand a year so Booey will need to have a 2nd job to maintain his amazing monkey life when Stern signs his next radio deal......Stern will never retire from radio.