Imus Settles With CBS Radio
The battle between Don Imus and CBS has apparently come to a halt.
The Drudge Report posted an item that said Imus settled his claim with CBS for breach of contract for $20 million and a non-disparaging clause. A CBS spokesperson confirmed to The ShowBuzz that a settlement has been reached. "Dollar amount rumored is grossly false," the spokesperson said.
The settlement pre-empts the dismissed deejay's threatened $120 million breach of contract lawsuit. Imus' lawyer Martin Garbus and CBS Radio issued a joint statement, but did not release any details of the settlement.
Imus and CBS Radio "have mutually agreed to settle claims that each had against the other regarding the Imus radio program on CBS," they said.
Imus was fired from both CBS radio and MSNBC after using the words "nappy headed hos" to describe the Rutgers women's basketball team in April. He apologized for what he said and even appeared on the Rev. Al Sharpton's radio show to further apologize.
CBS and Garbus confirmed only that the settlement had been reached. The person familiar with the talks told The Associated Press that Imus is taking steps to make a comeback with WABC.
Photos: Don Imus
That person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the details had not been announced, also said the deal with CBS calls for a "non-disparaging" agreement that forbids the parties from speaking negatively about each other.
Just before his dismissal, Imus signed a five-year, $40 million contract with CBS. Garbus, a famed First Amendment lawyer, said Imus would sue for the contract's unpaid portion. He cited a contract clause in which CBS acknowledged that Imus' services were "unique, extraordinary, irreverent, intellectual, topical, controversial." The clause said Imus' programming was "desired by company and ... consistent with company rules and policy," according to Garbus.
Meanwhile Tuesday, Rutgers basketball player Kia Vaughn sued Imus, CBS and others, claiming the offensive comments damaged her reputation. A spokeswoman for CBS Radio declined to comment, and a lawyer for Imus did not return a call about the suit.
A person familiar with the talks also told The Associated Press that Imus is taking steps to make a comeback with WABC. The stations' general manager, Steve Borneman, did not immediately return a call requesting comment. WABC is a talk-radio station that features radio personalities and shows such as Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh.
Sharpton, who led a "Fire Imus" movement, did not immediately return a call for comment. He said last month that he would not oppose the 67-year-old deejay's return to radio.
WFAN, the New York radio station that was Imus' flagship, also announced Tuesday that former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason will take over the morning time slot along with Craig Carton, a New Jersey radio personality.