IB tease

MORE REVELATIONS FROM I.B. BAD: Of the major deals now on the horizon for Lucian Grainge’s UMG, Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine and Slim and Baby’s Cash Money appear to be the biggest, with each rumored to be running at a payout north of $150m, according to our in-house pundit, writing in his year-end column. Also coming up for renewal next year is the Disney distribution deal, as the capable, digitally aware Ken Bunt succeeds retiring industry legend Bob Cavallo. Additionally, with a return to Warner Bros. apparently a no-go, and with Sony and EMI out of the picture, Rick Rubin’s American Recordings now appears to be headed to UMG as well. Insiders are saying Iovine is not a buyer. Is there a possible return in the works to Def Jam, which Rubin co-founded with Russell Simmons? Or could Monte Lipman’s Universal Republic be interested? Rubin’s successful run with Tom Whalley at WB has spurred speculation about the two reuniting in one form or another; Whalley is presently under the Universal Republic umbrella. (12/20a)