Hoda Kotb introduced her farewell to Today after 20 years as an anchor in September 2024.
And we’ve received new particulars about her final day on the job and her shocking causes for quitting.
Yes, apparently, Hoda’s wage might have performed a component in her stepping away.
Though the speak present host and reporter has not addressed this report herself, the rumor floating round is that because the legacy anchor, she was denied one of many greatest perks within the sport: extra money.
Of course, that’s not the explanation she’s giving for her departure; removed from it, in truth.
But is it doable that negotiations over her pay for the following years on the air was on the coronary heart of the problem? We’ve heard stranger issues…
Hoda’s Decision To Leave
Hoda introduced that she’d be stepping away from Today on September 26. She revealed her plans to go away the present after she turned 60 in August.
The speak present host introduced that she’d be leaving in a memo to employees, which she additionally learn on air. The present additionally shared the memo on social media. “I do know I’m making the fitting determination, nevertheless it’s a painful one,” she wrote.
Hoda Kotb then continued and seemed again on the various completely different positions she held at NBC over the course of her profession. She additionally gave shoutouts to her Today crew and household, together with Al Roker and Jenna Bush Hager.
“I really like you and it’s time for me to go away the present,” she wrote. “I’ll miss each one in all you at Today desperately.”
Hoda then stated that her sixtieth birthday celebration “felt like a shift.” Still, she stated that she was “prepared and excited” for the following chapter of her life.
“My broadcast profession has been past significant, a brand new decade of my life lies forward, and now my daughters and my mother want a much bigger slice of my time pie,” she continued.
Hoda concluded by saying that she’d be working by means of the start of 2025. She additionally stated that she’d “stay part of the NBC household,” however she didn’t say what her position could be.
“I’ll be round. How may I not? Family is household, and also you all will at all times be part of mine,” she concluded.
Hoda’s Last Day on Today
We now know that Hoda’s final day on Today will probably be January 10.
Craig Melvin, who has been with NBC News for greater than 14 years, will step in as her substitute.
Hoda has maintained a civil facade throughout her last weeks on the job, and we’re she nonetheless will get alongside together with her co-workers.
But she is likely to be so keen on her NBC bosses in the intervening time.
What Is Hoda Kotb’s Salary?
While Hoda’s departure message implied that she was trying to spend extra time with household, it was reported that cash was a significant component in her determination by Puck. Sources near the scenario stated that she was making over $20 million per 12 months.
The outlet additionally famous that her co-anchor Savannah Guthrie additionally makes over $20 million, and former co-anchor Matt Lauer made $25 million. It was reported that cuts to the business performed an element within the wage minimize.
“NBC executives cherished Hoda and knew her worth to the model, but in addition made clear to her brokers that such stratospheric contracts had been now not justifiable given the business’s inexorable decline,” Puck famous.
Puck additionally defined that this kind of “reset” goes to be much more frequent in TV. “Everyone is getting their pay minimize or their jobs eradicated,” a supply stated.
“In the approaching 12 months, some large names will announce they wish to spend extra time with their children or households or write new chapters,” the insider informed the location. “They additionally don’t wish to work for much less cash although they’ve already made a fortune.”
How Long Was Hoda at NBC?
Hoda spent over 1 / 4 of a century with NBC. In her social media publish, she famous all of the completely different roles that she had on the community over the 26 years that she labored there.
The journalist started working for NBC News in 1998. She was a correspondent for Dateline. Hoda joined Today in 2007. Kathie Lee Gifford joined her as a co-host in 2008, and he or she remained her co-host till 2019. Jenna Bush Hager took over for Kathie after that.
After Matt Lauer was fired in 2017 for sexual misconduct allegations, Savannah had a spread of co-anchors together with her. In 2018, Hoda was introduced as much as co-anchor alongside her, they usually had been the primary pair of feminine anchors within the present’s historical past.