On MSNBC just now Keith Olbermann announced that today’s show was last one. No other information is available but a tweet from @BreakingNews said his contract wasn’t renewed. Speculation?
Hmmmmmm…will we soon see the Olbermann Post?
But the sudden departure has a history, and the timing does not rule out a preemptive MSNBC move. The gadfly commentator first told the network last April that he wanted to leave and began negotiating his exit then, according to an individual with knowledge of the situation.
Olbermann abandoned the notion of leaving at that time but revived his plans in recent weeks with new representation from the talent agency ICM.
With two years left on his $7 million a year contract, Olbermann was seeking a full exit package but he really has his eye on creating his own media empire in the style of Huffington Post, according to the individual. That way, Olbermann would control his own brand and, in his view, potentially earn far more as an owner.
If this is the story then this could be really exciting. Could we see a real liberal media channel?