Olbermann's Exit Deal Means He's Barred from TV for Months

[BrklynLiberal]

http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/446943/olbermann%27s_exit_deal_means_he%27s_barred_from_tv_for_months/#paragraph3

The details of Keith Olbermann's exit deal from MSNBC have been released. He will be barred from television for a period of six to nine months--but this period of time means will be able to return in time for the 2012 election, according to the New York Times:


Mr. Olbermann’s future is up in the air, mainly because he agreed to a deal that would keep him off television for six to nine months, according to several executives involved in his exit. He is also apparently forbidden to discuss his departure.

One NBC executive involved in the decision to settle Mr. Olbermann’s contract said that he was allowed to work in radio or on the Internet and would presumably be free to return to television in time for the 2012 election cycle.


TheTimes' story this morning http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/business/media/24olbermann.html?_r=2&hp=&pagewanted=all is also full of gossipy information detailing the years of tension and acrimony between Olbermann and the brass at MSNBC, including the fact that Olbermann hired new talent agents this year to help him negotiate this "separation. " But the story also details also Olbermann's status as the man who defined the brand--"the tent pole that the network built itself around"--and also groomed its current stars like Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O'Donnell.

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[Webster Green]

1. Not too bad.

He will have plenty of time to put something else together.

[peacetalksforall]

2. I heard one year, two years. I hope 6 to 9 months is accurate.

This may be better for him than starting a new job on Feb 1.

This is the third 'loss' in a short period of time. Loss of family and job - ranks at the top for stress. When you're looking at jobs for your future the time flies by, but hopefully there will be some thinking time and doing something that wouldn't have been possible in his life for the last couple of years.

I can't wait to hear his voice and what he has to say - again.

[Ian David]

4. Someone else said that non-compete agreements aren't enforceable if they fire you. n/t

[JuniperLea]

7. They are if you are paid for your time.

Think Conan...

[Countdown_3_2_1]

11. $14K severance package. (nt)

[JuniperLea]

13. Dang... chicken feed...

Not near enough, if that's the correct figure. Interesting that figure is out there since everyone has been sworn to silence on this.

[samsingh]

15. do you mean $14 million severance package?

[Countdown_3_2_1]

18. Doh! Yes, that is what I meant.

[Maine_Nurse]

17. Not always...

Look it up. Covenants to Not Compete (CNC) are often unenforceable altogether. If you are a co-owner or have access to trade secrets or other similar things, then it is more enforceable. They generally must be both time and geography limited, and often won't cross state lines.

[Ian David]

3. He'll be tweeting something at 8 PM EST

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x263671

[JuniperLea]

5. That's become fairly standard...

It even happened to Conan O'Brian.

I'm sure he has enough cashola to get him by... and this little vacation is just what he needs to begin his planning.

They probably have to pay him severance during the time they are forbidding him to work.

[msanthrope]

6. I'm on TEAM COCO!!!! (Wait...wrong dude?) n/t

[dipsydoodle]

8. I picked up on this yesterday morning

but given the link / source I didn't have the nerve to post then.

It was this : http://perezhilton.com/2011-01-23-keith-olbermann-made-secret-deal-with-msnbc-before-last-show

Mamie Van Doren , :) ,posted it on FB. Believe it or not she, Mamie , does find stuff that has stayed under the radar for the time being. :shrug:

[rocktivity]

9. That's SOP isn't it?

Not unlike what happened to Conan.

:headbang:
rocktivity

[Countdown_3_2_1]

10. Didn't stop Conan, won't stop KO.

I'm just on pins and needles waiting to see where he will end up.

[KamaAina]

12. Maybe he could do newsreels

he's got that old-school Edward R. Murrow thing going on. Why not revive the old newsreel format?

[fishwax]

14. plenty of time for him to build something new

I'm sure he'll be active between now and then, too, in other venues. I'm looking forward to seeing what he does with his time.

:kick:

[Obamanaut]

16. With a several million $ salary and fat severance package, he should

be ok.

He could run for congress. With those millions, he'd fit right in with the millionaires already there.