Million-dollar mouths
Chicago radio could be losing a few members -- voluntarily or not -- from the most exclusive club on the airwaves
June 13, 2008
BY ROBERT FEDER Sun-Times Columnist

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:
(EDITED - LETS GET TO NORTH HERE)
* * 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.

_________________
Rika Nishimura is a nude Japanese idol who enjoys the status of living legend. 2004 saw the release of the DVD compilation "Rika, 22 Years Old - A Goddess Reincarnated". Her teen DVDs & books still sell thousands yearly.