Scotty Mccreery - Scotty Mccreery Will Receive $250,000 Says U.s. Judge

Superior Court Judge Marjorie Steinberg called for the winner of the competition to receive $250,000 in advances, with the runner-up to receive $87,500. 17-year-old MCCreery is likely to earn tens of thousands more from merchandise and endorsement rights and he will also receive royalties for any music he releases. Despite the singer's huge payday, the fee is still less than the reported $360,000 that season six winner Jordin Sparks walked away with. Also, during past seasons winners were paid a minimum of $100,000 for merchandise rights while MCCreery will only receive $50,000 and Alaina $40,000. The contracts can be extended at any time, allowing 'Idol' bosses to release multiple albums but the advance payouts will increase each time the contract is renewed. The show's producers and partners are required to place 15% of MCCreery's earnings into a trust account which cannot be touched until he turns 18-years-old.

Scotty Mccreery, a high-school student from Garner, North Carolina, won the American Idol title on Wednesday night after performing to a consistently high standard throughout season ten of the hit Fox talent competition.