JUDGE: USC OWED $720,000.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has ruled that a company owned by radio broadcasters Larry Kahn and Mike Lamb owes USC at least $720,000 for breach of contract.

Judge Richard C. Hubbell ruled in a summary judgment that KLM Sports, Inc. - an enterprise primarily owned by Kahn and Lamb - is required to pay the six-figure amount under the terms of a three-year radio contract with USC that expired last year.

``Certain amounts of payments were guaranteed to the university and not made,'' USC general counsel Todd Dickey said. ``It was clear they had breached the contract.''

Kahn, who is currently a broadcaster for the Anaheim Angels, said he was unhappy with the decision.

``We feel very strongly we have a strong case and the judge didn't see it that way,'' Kahn said.

USC ended its relationship with Kahn and Lamb, and signed a three-year deal with XTRA-AM (690) that began last football season.

The case still has several other phases. Kahn and Lamb are suing USC for defamation, claiming they were slandered by athletic director Mike Garrett, among others.

USC has asked for a summary judgment in its favor on that issue, and a hearing is scheduled in late July.

``We said they owed us $720,000 and they said it was untrue. You can see where we are going with this,'' said Dave Roberts, an attorney representing USC on the case.

USC has also filed a motion asking for a judgment against Kahn and Lamb as individuals, in case KLM Sports has no assets to cover the original ruling.

``The principals should be liable, not just the corporation,'' Dickey said.

Kahn said he has not decided if he will appeal the case.

``That remains to be seen,'' Kahn said. ``The most disappointing thing is we busted our butts for this school. It's just disappointing.''