Simon Cowell Offered As Much As $144 Million "American Idol" Contract

Simon Cowell has been offered four times his annual $36 million salary for Fox's "American Idol." The show's judge will reportedly earn up to $144 million per year should he stick with his contract when it expires in May.

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According to The Guardian, co-producers Fox and 19 Entertainment have offered Cowell between $100 million to $144 million next year. They can't seem to let go of their British import as his snide and frank criticism of the wannabes partly keeps the audience glued in to their TV sets.

Cowell and U.K. business tycoon Sir Philip Green are reportedly negotiating the terms of what would be a new contract for "American Idol."

A source close to Sir Philip told the paper, "This is about properly owning himself, Brand Cowell, everything he does, new formats, and new programs, not just the ones starring him."

The talent show has recently concluded its eighth season, with Kris Allen winning over crowd favorite Adam Lambert.