John Garziglia: Nielsen Looking to Send a Message with “Bubba the Love Sponge” Lawsuit

Tampa shock jock Bubba “The Love Sponge” Clem has been at the center of many controversies over the years. But his latest battle with Nielsen may be his toughest battle yet.

Nielsen is suing Clem for allegedly attempting to rig Nielsen’s PPM rating system. Womble Carlyle Telecom attorney John Garziglia analyzes the case for Radio Ink, and says that Nielsen may be looking to send a message to other would-be ratings manipulators.

“The essential question Bubba and his attorneys must now be pondering is how much money will Nielsen take to dismiss its lawsuit and go away. If this lawsuit is about Nielsen trying to make a point, and if Nielsen believes there are additional undiscovered instances of similar ratings distortion activity by Bubba, there may not be any amount of money Bubba can offer that will lead to a settlement,” Garziglia said.

In addition, Garziglia address other legal trouble spots where on-air personalities can get a radio station in hot water.

John Garziglia represents radio and television broadcasters, offering personalized assistance in all areas of communications and telecommunications law including transactional and contract negotiations for broadcast station mergers and acquisitions, the securing of financing, governmental auctions of new frequencies, license renewals, new stations applications, facility changes, facility upgrades, licensing, and compliance with FCC rules, regulations and policies.

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Follow John Garziglia on Twitter at @JohnGarziglia.