Hoda Kotb announced it goodbye to Today after 20 years as an anchor in September 2024, but apparently his salary may have played a role in his departure.
Although the talk show host and reporter did not address this report, the rumor going around is that, as a legacy anchor, she was denied one of the biggest advantages in the game: more money.
Of course, that’s not the reason she gives for her departure; far from it, in fact.
But is it possible that negotiations over his salary for the next few years on air were at the heart of the matter? We heard strange things…
Hoda’s decision to leave
Hoda announced that she would step aside Today on September 26th. She revealed her plans to leave the show after turning 60 in August.
The talk show host announced that she would be leaving in a memo to the teamwhich she also read on air. The program also shared the memo on social media. “I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s painful,” she wrote.
Hoda Kotb then continued and recalled the different positions she held at NBC throughout her career. She also screamed at her Today crew and family, including Al Roker and Jenna Bush Hager.
“I love you and it’s time to leave the show,” she wrote. “I will miss each and every one of you Today desperately.”
Hoda then said her 60th birthday celebration “felt like a change.” Still, she said she was “ready and excited” for the next chapter of her life.
“My career in broadcasting has been very meaningful, a new decade of my life is upon us and now my daughters and my mother need a bigger slice of my time,” she continued.
Hoda concluded by saying she would work until early 2025. She also said she would “remain part of the NBC family” but did not say what her role would be.
“I’ll be around. How could I not? Family is family and you will all always be part of mine”, he concluded.
What is Hoda Kotb’s salary?
Although Hoda Kotb’s message implied that she intended to spend more time with her family, it was reported that money was an important factor in his decision Disk. Sources close to the situation said she earned more than $20 million a year.
The channel also noted that its co-anchor Savannah Guthrie also earns more than $20 million, and former co-anchor Matt Lauer earned $25 million. It was reported that cuts in the industry influenced the pay cut.
“NBC executives loved Hoda and knew its value to the brand, but he also made it clear to his agents that such stratospheric contracts were no longer justifiable given the industry’s inexorable decline.” Disk observed.
Disk also explained that this type of “reset” will be much more common on TV. “Everyone is having their salaries reduced or their jobs were eliminated,‘ said a source.
“Next year, some big names will announce that they want to spend more time with their children or families or write new chapters,” the source told the website. “They also don’t want to work for less money, even though they have already made a fortune.”
How long was Hoda at NBC?
Hoda isn’t going away anytime soon, however. She is scheduled to remain on the show until early 2025, with no official exit date announced.
Hoda spent more than a quarter century at NBC. In her post, she highlighted all the different roles she played at the station over the 26 years she worked there.
The journalist began working for NBC News in 1998. She was a correspondent for Date line. Hoda joined Today in 2007. Kathie Lee Gifford joined her as co-host in 2008, and she remained as co-host until 2019. Jenna Bush Hager replaced Kathie after that.
After Matt Lauer was fired in 2017 over sexual misconduct allegations, Savannah had a series of co-anchors with her. In 2018, Hoda was created to co-anchor alongside her, and they were the first female anchor duo in the show’s history.