NEW YORK — Don Imus will return to the airwaves Dec. 3 on New York’s WABC-AM, nine months after the cantankerous shock jock’s career seemed doomed over his racist, sexist remark about a women’s college basketball team.
Citadel Broadcasting Corp. made the announcement Thursday, confirming long-rumored reports that Imus was returning to morning drive time in the same city where he was banished in April.
“We are ecstatic,” said WABC president and general manager Steve Borneman. “Don’s unique brand of humor, knowledge of the issues and ability to attract big-name guests is unparalleled. He is rested, fired up and ready to do great radio.”
Imus will return with his longtime newsman, Charles McCord, and other members of his morning team, Citadel said in announcing the move. It did not specifically mention Bernard McGuirk, the producer who was fired along with Imus.
The acid-tongued broadcasting icon was fired at WFAN-AM after he called the Rutgers University women’s basketball team “nappy-headed hos” on the air, sparking calls by civil-rights leaders and broadcast journalists for him to resign.
But three months later, the Rev. Al Sharpton, one of the loudest voices calling for his firing, said Imus had a right to make a living and could return to radio.
Citadel Broadcasting chief executive Farid Suleman also recently defended Imus, telling The New York Times: “He didn’t break the law. He’s more than paid the price for what he did.”
But the prospect of Imus’ return has outraged critics, including the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Organization for Women, who said the idea of his return months after he was fired is nearly as insulting as the comments that drove him off the air.
