Sirius Satellite Radio shock jock Howard Stern is set to sell US$83 million worth of the company’s stock, according to a filing with the US NASDAQ Stock Exchange.

The broadcaster says the 22.1 million shares Stern has registered to sell are a bonus payment after the company ended the year with more than six million subscribers.

On those metrics, Stern’s bonus works out to be around US$14 for every paying listener.

The selldown is expected to have a significant impact on the Sirius stock price, even if shares are placed into the market over a extended period, as indicated in the filing.

Despite Stern’s intentions, he insists he has complete faith in the company and its business model.