Josh Elliott’s decision to leave “Good Morning America” was not motivated by money but by the possibility of “a bigger job down the road” at NBC — which should have both Matt Lauer and Bob Costas worried, sources exclusively tell Confidenti@l.
We also hear there is now added tension between Elliott’s replacement, Amy Robach, and lifestyle anchor Lara Spencer, who is already “furious” that she just re-signed for $2 million when Robin Roberts gets $18 million a year.
Elliott blindsided his ABC bosses by quitting Sunday night — via email — and then rolling out a carefully orchestrated PR operation to announce he was going to NBC Sports in a deal worth around $4 million a year.
“This had little to do with money,” said a network source. “Josh feels there’s a higher ceiling for him at NBC, and that means he is now a threat to both Bob Costas and Matt Lauer.”
We hear ABC had offered Elliott $5 million a year, but he wanted double. That would have been a huge jump from his estimated salary of just north of $1 million. Confidenti@l has learned that ABC brass are privately stewing over how Elliott handled the move.
A source tells us Elliott asked to sit down with ABC News boss Ben Sherwood to share the news last weekend. But Sherwood, who plucked him from ESPN to co-anchor “GMA” in 2011, refused the face-to-face meeting with the departing talent.
Slaven Vlasic/GettyEnlarge Speculation suggests that Matt Lauer's job at NBC is threatened by Elliot's arrival, but NBC News President Deborah Turness says they're happy with the current setup.
Elliott’s weekend exit caught executives by surprise, but they had a plan if he bolted. When salary talks between Elliott and ABC broke down, network officials had quietly tapped Robach, the “GMA” correspondent who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, to be his replacement.
“Robach and Spencer don’t get along, and now they must share desk space. Lara was furious when she heard the news,” a source said. But a rep for ABC said "there is zero truth that Amy and Lara don't get along."
Elliott can’t be on “Today” anytime soon — his ABC deal forbids him from appearing on “Today” for six months.
Evan Agostini/APEnlarge Bob Costas is another NBC talent under threat.
A source familiar with the deal tells Confidenti@l that Elliott jumped at the chance to be involved in live sports again. Most news people, he said, “would underestimate the opportunity to be a part of highly rated events like ‘Sunday Night Football’ and the Olympics,” where Costas presides.
It’s unclear if Elliott will get to do an on-air farewell, but co-host George Stephanopoulos mentioned Elliott’s farewell Monday, saying: “Josh, it has been a great run with you here on ‘GMA.’ ”
Fred Lee/ABCEnlarge George Stephanopoulos, l., and Lara Spencer (with now-departed Sam Champion) remain at 'GMA.'
A source said ABC may just run a “highlight reel later this week” of Elliott’s best moments, rather than let him back on air.
Last night Deborah Turness, NBC News president, told Confidenti@l: “We have the best anchor of the ‘Today’ show, and that’s Matt Lauer. We want him in that job for a long time to come.”
Elliott couldn’t be reached for comment.
No comments:
Post a Comment