Imus, who built a career on pushing the boundaries of taste and propriety, was fired from his nationally syndicated WFAN show by CBS Radio in April for making racist remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team.

He is slated to take over the morning slot at WABC occupied by Curtis Sliwa and Ron Kuby.

"If he shows signs of not having changed, we will register our displeasure," said the Rev. DeForest Soaries, who brokered the meeting where Imus apologized to the players.

"They're hoping he'll use his expanded platform for good. ... This has caused them lots of problems they are still working through but they have no malice in their hearts."

The coach of the Rutgers women's basketball team said Monday, "I just want to forget the issue and move on."

"He has every right to go back on the air," Vivian Stringer told the Daily News. "Our business is about basketball and that's what we're going to focus on."

Also returning with Imus will be longtime sidekick Charles McCord and producer Bernard McGuirk.