While Paula Abdul's manager was busy voicing concern that his client had not yet signed a contract to return for the ninth season of "American Idol," another key player in the singing competition's universe went ahead and inked a lucrative, multi-year deal.

"Idol" executive producer Ken Warwick has signed a three-year contract with the show's co-producer, FremantleMedia North America, to continue overseeing the reality program, according to various reports. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but The Hollywood Reporter said the pact was "well into the eight-figure range" and is thought to be the richest ever for a reality-show runner.

Warwick's deal follows last week's news that "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest had signed a three-year, $45 million deal to return to the show, making him the highest-paid reality host ever.

Abdul, meanwhile, is still without a contract. On Monday, in what appeared to be a negotiating tactic, Abdul's manager, David Sonenberg, told the Los Angeles Times the judge might not return to the show. "I find it, under these circumstances, particularly unusual; I think unnecessarily hurtful," Sonenberg said. "I find it kind of unconscionable and certainly rude and disrespectful that they haven't stepped up and said what they want to do."

Warwick has been with "Idol" since it first aired. Following Nigel Lythgoe's departure last year, Warwick took over sole show-running duties and instituted a number of significant tweaks to the format in an attempt to shake up a show that had entered its eighth season. Warwick cut down the number of audition episodes and added additional Hollywood-week episodes. He increased the number of semifinal contestants and reintroduced the judges' wild card. Ratings for "Idol," however, continued to decline.

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