$144 Million to Simon Cowell for American Idol Contract

Simon Cowell of American Idol fame has been offered between $100 million and $144 million per year to stay on the hit TV singing competition reality show after his contract expires in May, 2010, according to leaked details of his negotiations with Idol co-producers Fox and 19 Entertainment.

Cowell purportedly received a $36 million contract last year, for judging the competition participants while popularizing the show through his snarky comments, patented eye-rolls, tension with fellow judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, and bluntly critical, merciless attitude towards contestants.

According to the New York Post, Cowell is teaming up with friend and UK multibillionaire Sir Philip Green to secure the deal, the first step of what some say are several towards creating an international TV production, talent management, and retail merchandise company.

Cowell has been featured on American Idol since the show's early days. He is also known for having signed the internationally sucessful group Il Divo as well as for his work with both hit TV shows Britain's Got Talent and The X-Factor in the UK.