Sirius Is Not Going To "Fire" Howard Stern

I woke up this morning and fired up the old Twitter machine and saw unsubstantiated rumors that SiriusXM is not going to renew Howard Stern's contract when it expires at the end of the year. Having listened to Howard on and off for more than 35 years, let me be the first to call *partial* BS on this story. 

The man is 71 years old, so the idea he would sign up for another five years was far-fetched to begin with but it's equally far-fetched to believe the company he basically single-handedly saved from bankruptcy would toss him to the curb like some old piece of furniture. Yes, Sirius is a much different (and bigger) company than the one Howard joined in 2006, and his schedule is far more modest than it once was, but I think the more likely scenario is that Howard re-ups for 1-2 years and here is why:

1.    Being able to promote a "farewell" tour for Howard is too lucrative an opportunity for Sirius to pass up, especially since Howard has done so much work to bring in "A" list interviews in recent years. 

2.    While management at the company may not be the same as it was when Howard first started, I have to believe there is an interest in thanking him for his 20 years on the air. He promised an audience and he delivered. The messy litigation he initiated because of a dispute over a bonus he claimed he was owed happened 15 years ago. Otherwise, he shows up to work every day he's contracted to be there, has been a loyal soldier in terms of promoting the company, and, not only saved the company from going under but became the pivot point for the merger between Sirius and XM.

3.    Howard is loyal to his audience and to his staff. He would not leave longtime employees in a lurch where they have less than 4 months before they have to look for new jobs. Re-signing for a year or two will allow his staff to set up their next move. Similarly, it will give fans the chance to say a proper farewell to a guy who has been the soundtrack to their lives. 

So slow your roll, internet. I don't think Howard is going anywhere (for now).