Liberty takeover of Sirius could cost Karmazin CEO job

It could be curtains for Karmazin.

John Malones Liberty Media told regulators yesterday it wants to take control of Sirius XM Radio which could put Liberty CEO Greg Maffei in perfect position to run the satellite broadcaster.

That means that Mel Karmazin, the current CEO of Sirius, who famously chafes at being a No. 2, could be headed out the door after more than seven years atop the New York-based company.

Karmazin was the second banana at Viacom but made it clear he didnt like working under chairman Sumner Redstone.

Karmazin, 68, could be tempted to walk after his contract expires Dec. 31 if Liberty is successful in its appeal to the Federal Communications Commission.

Christopher Peterson/BuzzFoto.co

John Malone of Liberty Media is pulling out all the stops in his latest bid to take over Sirius XM, which is run by Mel Karmazin (above), the longtime Gotham-based media boss.

Greg is sick of being a portfolio manager, said a source close to the Liberty Media boss, who oversees a host of companies including Starz, Live Nation, Barnes & Noble and Sirius XM Radio.

Liberty has praised Karmazins management ability and are not seen as aching to push him out but the question is: Will Mel want to stay?

Liberty did not return a call for comment. Sirius declined comment.

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Liberty takeover of Sirius could cost Karmazin CEO job