XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX MARCH 01, 2006 10:32:08 ET XXXXX
HOWARD STERN FIGHTS BACK: CLAIMS 'QUESTIONABLE' BUSINESS DEALS AT CBS
Howard Stern is ready to fight back hard against the lawsuit filed against him by CBS.
"I've had a couple of business situations which I think are questionable [at CBS]," Stern warned.
CBS boss Les Moonves will be Exhibit A in Stern's defense, the jock claims.
"I said, 'Les, so how you gonna win a lawsuit?," Stern recalls during a final meeting.
"Uou put me on David Letterman. You put me on '60 Minutes.' Why did you
put me on these shows?" Because the story of me going to SIRIUS brought
in big ratings. So you can't have it both ways."
The lawsuit, which also names Sirius and Stern's agent as defendants, claims Stern improperly used CBS radio's air time to promote his new show with SIRIUS, which began last month. CBS also claims Stern discussed his plans with SIRIUS without disclosing them to CBS as required under his contract.
Stern charges: [Moonves] said to me at one point, he says to me, "You know, I have damages." I said, "You do? What are they?" He goes, "Well, my radio division isn't making
money now." I go, "Les, I'm allowed to leave." He goes, "OK. OK. I
don't mean that," he goes, "but you got bonus payments and stuff for
selling radios." I said, "You knew my deal. It was in the newspaper.
It's a matter of public record. And, by the way, p.s., I didn't get any
bonus payment. I got an accelerated payment." He goes, "Oh, that's
different. Well, I guess, then if that's the case I'm not gonna sue
ya." Doesn't even matter. And then you leave the meeting. And then he
goes, "I'm gonna sue ya."......They had no damages. They sold a record
amount of advertising. They made a fortune off of my last year there --
so much so you barely heard the show, they ran so many commercials"
Developing...
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Filed By Matt Drudge
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