Imus settles with CBS over 5-year contract

The host is looking to make a comeback, a source said.

NEW YORK (AP) — Don Imus has reached a settlement with CBS over his multimillion-dollar contract and is negotiating with WABC radio to resume his broadcasting career there, according to CBS and a person familiar with the negotiations.

Imus and CBS Radio reached a settlement that would pre-empt the dismissed radio personality’s threatened $120 million breach-of-contract lawsuit, CBS spokesman Dana McClintock said Tuesday.

No terms of the settlement were disclosed.

The person familiar with the talks told The Associated Press that Imus is taking steps to make a comeback with WABC-AM. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the news had not been announced, also said the deal with CBS calls for a “nondisparaging” agreement that forbids him from speaking negatively about his former employer.

The settlement and possible comeback come more than four months after Imus created an uproar over his racist and sexist comments about the Rutgers women’s basketball team.

Had signed contract

Just before his dismissal, Imus signed a five-year, $40 million contract with CBS. Famed First Amendment lawyer Martin Garbus said in May that Imus planned to sue CBS for $120 million in unpaid salary and damages.

WFAN, the New York radio station that was Imus’ flagship, has been reported to be close to naming former pro quarterback Boomer Esiason to the morning time slot.

WABC is a talk-radio station that features mostly politically driven shows that star Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh.

Imus, 66, was dismissed April 12 after using a racial slur in describing the Rutgers women’s basketball team on his nationally syndicated radio program, which was also simulcast on MSNBC.