Stern Suit Unfounded, Karmazin Charges

SIRIUS chief Mel Karmazin talked up satellite radio during a rare public appearance Tuesday and said that his old company's lawsuit against Howard Stern was without merit.

Billboard Radio Monitor reports: That karmazin, acknowledged that the big bucks Sirius is paying Stern, the NFL, NASCAR and other high-profile rights are expensive but well worth it.

"It's scary how much they cost, but I would rather have them and find a way to make money with them rather than compete against them," Karmazin said.

Karmazin said CBS' lawsuit against Stern, who left CBS in December for a multiyear contract with Sirius, only served to put Stern back on the front page.

"The last thing I would want to talk about today is Howard Stern," Karmazin said of CBS before adding: "But I'm sure CBS had its reasons."

Via Billboard Radio Monitor