Simon Cowell Raise: $100 million to $144 million

Simon Cowell received a raise from $100 million to $144 million to stay on as a judge for American Idol.

According to London paper The Guardian this was all part of negotiations to get Cowell returning to the show, as his contract was set to expire in May of 2010.

To put in perspective Cowell's enormous salary, the show American Idol earns about $900 million in yearly revenue. Since the show would be nothing without Simon, his share seems to be a fair cut.

The Guardian is also saying that longtime friend of Simon and multibillionaire, Sir Philip Green, was helping Simon during his negotiations for his appearance fee. Green is the owner of The Top Shop (a fashion franchise).

Sources close to the two buddies report that this is just the first step to the creation of an international TV production, talent management and merchandising company, which would put Cowell in a position to actually make money off his ideas and the talent he discovers, not just reap a salary for having his mug on screen.

“This is about properly owning himself, Brand Cowell, everything he does, new formats and new programs, not just the ones starring him,” a source close to Green told The Guardian.

Not only is Simon on American Idol, he is also on Britain's Got Talent and The X-Factor. There is much speculation as to whether or not he will return to those shows as well.