ABC Radio's option to keep the branding expired in 1997 and as per an agreement struck before Shadoe Stevens took over as host, if ABC had ever decided to cancel "AT40" outright and not come up with a new version before the option ran out, or at the least either broadcast the show at least once, present a special promotion or contest tied in with "AT40", or continue paying fees to Kasem and Bustany, the rights to the branding would revert to the original creators of the show. When the deal was struck that meant Casey Kasem and Don Bustany's production company would benefit. Bustany left the program shortly after Kasem did, however, and chose not to have any further involvement. This left Kasem as the sole owner of the brand.