L-A Radio: Judge Lifts Big Boy Injunction, Lawsuit Remains

Kurt 'Big Boy' Alexander

UPDATE 3/4/15 2PM:  iHeartMedia Los Angeles has announced that Big Boy will anchor mornings on the company's new HipHop KRRL (Real 92.3), starting March 9.  "You can't say Hip Hop in Los Angeles and not immediately think of Big Boy," said Greg Ashlock, President -- Southern California, for iHeartMedia. "He's authentic. Passionate about the music with tight artist relationships. And, most importantly, connected with Los Angelenos. This is a major coup for us here at iHeartMedia Los Angeles, and a big win for the LA Hip Hop audience."


Earlier Posting...

Emmis Radio has lost a bid to keep morning radio personality Kurt 'Big Boy' Alexander from jumping to another station.

A Los Angeles County Superior Court Tuesday denied the Emmis request to make an injunction permement that would have kept Big Boy from moving to crosstown rival iHeartMedia's WRRL 92.3 FM RealFM from its Urban KPWR 106.7 FM Power 106.

The ruling comes after  a breach of contract suit filed by Emmis Radio on February 3, that sought no less than $5 million in damages, as well as preliminary and permanent injunctions. The court issued the temporary restraining order barring the move on February 10.

Following the ruling, Emmis said in a statement, "While Emmis is disappointed with the Court's ruling and will evaluate our legal options, we are pleased with the Court's indication that damages are an available remedy at trial. Emmis remains resolute in continuing to protect our legal rights and committed to the continued success of Power 106."

Neighbors, It's official. MONDAY MARCH 9TH at 6:20am. Yo potnah, Big Boy is now at our new address,… https://t.co/HrDX2Kd8Qf
— Big Boy (@BigBoy) March 4, 2015

In its suite Emmis contends it first discovered Bog Boy, 45, working as a bodyguard more than 20 years ago, and "has invested substantially over the years in helping him develop into the star that he is today."

According to the complaint, Bog Boy's agreement provided him a 60-day window at the end of its term to entertain offers from other broadcasters, on the condition that he provide Emmis with a copy of any offer received and a right to match the offer. On January 16, 2015, Alexander provided Emmis with a copy of an offer from iHeartMedia to anchor a direct competitor in Los Angeles for an annual salary of $3.5 million, along with other benefits. Despite Emmis' match of the iHeartMedia offer, Alexander informed Emmis that he intended to take the iHeartMedia offer and would move to the Emmis competitor.