RUSS WANTS TO THINK ABOUT IT

Warner Bros. Records Inc. Chairman/CEO russ thyret',390,400);">russ thyret',390,400);">Russ Thyret told senior staffers Wednesday that he was thinking of staying on at the company, but is still weighing his options, sources said.

Thyret, who is going on vacation for the rest of the week, told his senior staff at the company's weekly marketing meeting that he will consider his options over the long holiday weekend.

Sources confirmed that Thyret has been offered an extension of his contract. He has been in negotiations with Warner Music Group topper roger ames',390,400);">roger ames',390,400);">Roger Ames about re-upping at the label.

News of Thyret's somewhat tenuous position at the Bunny came after news leaked that Ames had lured Interscope-Geffen-A&M President Tom Whalley to the Warner/Reprise fold for a whopping $30-$40 million, five-year deal (www.hitsdailydouble.com 5/23).

But, with Whalley being under contract at Interscope until Jan. 1, 2002, Thyret may be asked to keep the ship afloat in the interim.

It is unclear whether Ames wants Thyret to stay on during this time—a move that would help for the smoothest possible transition—or if there is a place in the Warner Bros. Records world for the 30-year company veteran.

Worried staffers expressed concern that the company would be under increased pressure if Thyret resigned and Whalley didn't come on board for 20 months.