Mike North May Leave WSCR

By Margaret Lyons in News on Jun 6, 2008 3:28PM

Is long-time WSCR host Mike North going off the air? His contract is up in July, and ratings for his show are down--plus he makes $1.5 million a year, and WSCR may not want to cough up that kind of dough again.

Trends do fluctuate, and nearly every WSCR show was down in April. Still, this would be like Konerko trying to negotiate an extension after hitting below .200 in September.

If the Score's best offer is in the $800,000 range—still an absurd amount for the blue-collar crew that makes up most of his audience—would North return or walk away and hope that his purportedly loyal advertisers follow him? North has told associates he has other options in Chicago, although various station officials have denied it. He could even buy time at a radio station that's desperate for a big name.

"I wouldn't put that past him," said a source with ties to WSCR. "He could walk in with his friends from Budweiser and announce he's making seven figures. No one would know."

It's also possible North will stay with WSCR but not in the primo morning slot, instead switching times with the Mike Mulligan and Brian Hanley. [Trib, image via WSCR. In the interest of disclosure, I've been on North's show a handful of times.]