Howard Stern’s Staff Fear He May Quit
Howard Stern is reportedly on shaky ground, both inside and outside of SiriusXM. The legendary broadcaster built a career out of being untouchable, but new rumors via Yahoo say that behind the mic, things are unraveling. A prank about Andy Cohen “replacing” him backfired badly, stirring up another round of speculation about his contract talks. At 71, the once-untouchable “King of All Media” sounds like a man fighting the clock.
Behind the scenes, Stern’s staff reportedly feel like they’re tiptoeing through a minefield.
“Everyone is walking on pins and needles around Howard, fearful of triggering a major meltdown,” one insider told Yahoo’s article writer. “He’s treated them abominably and lured them in with paychecks that are only enough to pay for food and rent — not the kind of security he enjoys.”
The tension ratcheted up after SiriusXM locked in Alex Cooper — the 31-year-old Call Her Daddy host — with a deal worth $125 million. Her youth, digital reach, and cultural pull have made her the new face of the platform. Stern, meanwhile, is rumored to be simmering with jealousy.
Howard Stern’s dwindling ratings
At his height, Stern’s audience was a staggering 20 million strong. But after lashing out at Donald Trump supporters in 2024, sources claim he’s down to roughly 125,000 die-hards. That kind of drop has executives openly weighing whether it’s worth paying Stern’s $500 million contract — which expires at the end of 2025 — when podcasts and younger voices are cheaper and more advertiser-friendly.
“His jealousy knows no bounds,” another insider said. “He doesn’t understand what she’s got that he hasn’t. It’s given him all the motivation to quit. He’s been snapping at staffers and going on political rants.”
Stern has been open about his family, his age, and his fatigue. He’s talked about walking away before, but this time the whispers feel heavier. For SiriusXM, losing Stern would be the end of an era. For Howard himself, it might be the moment he finally trades shock for silence.
