Don Imus settles with CBS, then sued by Rutgers player
DAVID HINCKLEY AND TRACY CONNO
Issue date: 8/25/07 Section: Horizons
NEW YORK _ Four months after being fired, Don Imus scored an eight-figure payday and plotted his comeback _ even as he was sued by one of the athletes he called "nappy-headed ho's."
The shock jock, who is reportedly in talks with New York radio station WABC-AM for a morning show, settled his contract dispute Tuesday with CBS.
Hours later, Rutgers basketball player Kia Vaughn filed a slander and defamation lawsuit against him in Bronx Supreme Court.
"Imus lost four months of employment and gained $20 million and a new platform. But what about these young women? How does Imus' big payday affect their self-esteem?" said Vaughn's lawyer, Richard Ancowitz.
The suit, which also named CBS, MSNBC and Imus sidekick Bernard McGuirk, did not ask for a dollar amount. There was no immediate comment from the defendants.
"The kind of sexist and bigoted attack these young women and Kia in particular suffered demands more than lip service," Ancowitz said. "She wants the court to recognize that Imus slandered her."
Imus referred to Vaughn and her Rutgers teammates _ who were enjoying a Cinderella season _ as "nappy-headed ho's" on his April 4 show, which aired on CBS-owned WFAN-AM and MSNBC.
At the time, he had just inked a five-year, $40 million contract, but in the face of public outcry, both employers fired him.
Although Imus apologized for his "thoughtless and stupid" comment, he later hired First Amendment lawyer Martin Garbus and said he would sue CBS.
The terms of Tuesday's settlement were not disclosed.
One report said Imus took $20 million to shelve plans for a $120 million suit against the broadcaster, but a network spokeswoman called that "grossly false."
Industry experts agreed the figure was probably closer to $10 million _ and Imus may be set to collect another fat check soon.
He is talking to several stations about a comeback, with WABC looking like the best prospect.
To cover Imus' cost, WABC might have to cut Ron Kuby, who helms the morning show with Curtis Sliwa, and John Gambling, the late-morning host.
The shock jock, who is reportedly in talks with New York radio station WABC-AM for a morning show, settled his contract dispute Tuesday with CBS.
Hours later, Rutgers basketball player Kia Vaughn filed a slander and defamation lawsuit against him in Bronx Supreme Court.
"Imus lost four months of employment and gained $20 million and a new platform. But what about these young women? How does Imus' big payday affect their self-esteem?" said Vaughn's lawyer, Richard Ancowitz.
The suit, which also named CBS, MSNBC and Imus sidekick Bernard McGuirk, did not ask for a dollar amount. There was no immediate comment from the defendants.
"The kind of sexist and bigoted attack these young women and Kia in particular suffered demands more than lip service," Ancowitz said. "She wants the court to recognize that Imus slandered her."
Imus referred to Vaughn and her Rutgers teammates _ who were enjoying a Cinderella season _ as "nappy-headed ho's" on his April 4 show, which aired on CBS-owned WFAN-AM and MSNBC.
At the time, he had just inked a five-year, $40 million contract, but in the face of public outcry, both employers fired him.
Although Imus apologized for his "thoughtless and stupid" comment, he later hired First Amendment lawyer Martin Garbus and said he would sue CBS.
The terms of Tuesday's settlement were not disclosed.
One report said Imus took $20 million to shelve plans for a $120 million suit against the broadcaster, but a network spokeswoman called that "grossly false."
Industry experts agreed the figure was probably closer to $10 million _ and Imus may be set to collect another fat check soon.
He is talking to several stations about a comeback, with WABC looking like the best prospect.
To cover Imus' cost, WABC might have to cut Ron Kuby, who helms the morning show with Curtis Sliwa, and John Gambling, the late-morning host.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 15
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Bet on the Super Bowl
posted 12/05/08 @ 11:40 AM CST
Imus is an Idiot.
just some college guy
posted 2/23/09 @ 12:32 AM CST
Don Imus is popular and on air because he says controversial things... I don't think that's necessarily that idiotic. It's how he makes a living.
Penny Alverton
posted 3/02/09 @ 8:15 AM CST
Wait for next writes!
Eleanor Cook
posted 3/07/09 @ 6:11 AM CST
Thank you for writing the article, I am very pleased with how it came out.
Nancy Johnson
posted 3/09/09 @ 12:36 AM CST
wow, this brings back some great memories! it seems like just yesterday i was watching all of these great shows, and more great shows. this homecoming theme has been so much fun!
Katrina Arkwright
posted 3/11/09 @ 4:55 AM CST
I have to agree with teh poster above... :/ looks like a lot of hot air to me.
Rachel Whitney
posted 3/13/09 @ 1:27 PM CST
That looks like lots of fun. When I was in college we didn't had so many fun activities.
Angela Stedman
posted 4/19/09 @ 2:57 AM CST
That looks like lots of fun. When I was in college we didn't had so many fun activities.
montgomery
posted 4/26/09 @ 10:26 PM CST
we shall over come some day.and the day is not it ,we must understand in 1960 we prayed .and we must continue to pray for leadership that would make them pay million dollars for the word b-t-h-e-a. (Continued…)
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