Posted by chicagomedia.org on June 13, 2008 at 07:32:32:
Chicago radio could be losing a few members -- voluntarily or not -- from the most exclusive club on the airwaves
It's hard to imagine
walking away from a job that pays more than $1 million a year for talking
into a microphone a few hours a day.
But it's happened before -- and it could happen again.
At the moment, there are nine Chicago radio personalities who are pulling down seven-figure salaries. (That doesn't count any of the nationally syndicated hosts -- from Rush Limbaugh to Steve Harvey -- or sui generis Paul Harvey, who also are heard on the air here.)
Of the nine million-dollar mouths, at least four could be nearing the end of their fantasy paydays, whether by their own choice or not.
Here's a roundup of Chicago radio's highest-paid stars -- all white males, by the way -- and their status in the millionaires' club:
• • Spike O'Dell, who inherited the No. 1 morning slot from the late Bob Collins at news/talk WGN-AM (720) in 2000, signed his first million-dollar-a-year contract with the Tribune Co.-owned station in 2006.
Just weeks later, he told the world (via a Tribune interview) that he was tired of getting up at 2 in the morning each day and intended to leave as soon as his deal was up. So much for gratitude and loyalty.
At this point, if O'Dell doesn't choose to exercise his option on a third year, he could be gone by December. But don't bet on it.
• • Eddie Volkman and Joe "Jobo" Bohannon, the durable morning duo on CBS Radio rhythmic Top 40 WBBM-FM (96.3), are now in their 20th year together. They're also about to begin the final year of a seven-year deal that pays each one more than $1.5 million a year.
What seemed like a good idea at the time -- since Clear Channel Radio was courting them heavily to jump to rival Top 40 WKSC-FM (103.5) -- looks more than extravagant in hindsight.
Given the financial realities of the business and the young demographic target of B96, it's unlikely Eddie and Jobo will be re-signed for anything close to seven figures next year.
• • Mike North, the former hot dog stand owner who became the star of sports/talk radio in Chicago, made the deal of a lifetime in 2002 when he got CBS Radio to pay him $1.5 million to renew as afternoon personality on WSCR-AM (670). But his move to mornings on the Score never generated the ratings his bosses expected.
Now that he's nearing the end of his contract, North is weighing all options (as are his bosses). That likely could include a major reduction in salary, a shift out of morning drive or a whole new station identification.
• • When Clear Channel Radio failed to lure Eddie and Jobo to WKSC, the company turned to a rising talent in San Antonio to host mornings on Kiss FM.
Kevin Buchar, known by the on-air name of "Drex," managed to succeed beyond everyone's expectations in his first three years here. Now safely locked into a sweet second contract that's loaded with ratings bonuses, he easily grosses more than $1 million annually.
• • Also under long-term deals that pay them seven figures are: Eric Ferguson, one-half of the morning duo of Eric and Kathy (with Kathy Hart, who, in a painful reality of radio, makes less) on Bonneville International hot adult-contemporary WTMX-FM (101.9); Roe Conn, afternoon host on Citadel Broadcasting news/ talk WLS-AM (890); Jonathon Brandmeier, morning man on Emmis Communications classic rock WLUP-FM (97.9), and Steve Dahl, who recently shifted from afternoons on CBS Radio's former WCKG to mornings on adult hits WJMK-FM (104.3).
Two big names absent from the list are Mancow Muller, who was fired from his local station in 2006 but continues to broadcast a show in syndication, and Garry Meier, who committed career suicide in 2004 when he spurned a multimillion-dollar renewal offer for reasons known only to him, his wife and the Almighty.
(Feder)