Malone’s Push for Sirius Control Sets Up Karmazin Showdown

Billionaire John Malone’s push to take over Sirius XM Radio Inc. is setting up a potential clash with Sirius Chief Executive Officer Mel Karmazin, who stands to lose power under the deal.

Malone’s Liberty Media Corp. plans to assert control of the largest U.S. satellite radio provider after receiving approval from the Federal Communications Commission, the Englewood, Colorado-based company said yesterday in a filing. The move would put Karmazin, who helped turn around Sirius after years of losses, under the command of Malone and Liberty CEO Greg Maffei.