If rumors are to be believed, then Matt Lauer is a classic example of a douchebag. Just one day after co-host Meredith Vieira announced that she is seriously considering leaving The Today Show once her contract is up, a report surfaced saying that Lauer would also be departing the show at the end of his contract in Dec. 2012.
During his tenure with the show, the anchor’s name has become synonymous with The Today Show name, giving him a significant amount of power within NBC News. TMZ is now reporting that Lauer is using that control to its highest advantage. Contrary to early reports, Lauer is not looking to leave The Today Show at all.
Instead, the rumors of his departure were planted as a seed designed to get into the minds of NBC executives and pressure them into giving him a raise upon renewal of his contract. Lauer currently receives $17 million/year, but is looking to ask for up to $25 million/year.
Clearly, having been in the business for 15 years has taught Lauer a thing or two about the rules of the game. He is certainly looking to make bank on the fame and success that The Today Show has given him over the years.
Photo Credit: Entertainment Weekly
-Dee Lockett
Hope they call his bluff 🙂
Ditto to above comment!
I hear the Winklevoss twins need money and are looking for a job, maybe they will agree to take Mat’s gig for less than $25 million — in my opinion they always take far less than they are worth.
Blessings,
Ava
xox
Does that really make him a douchebag though? I mean, like you said, he is the Today Show, so they should pay him accordingly. I’d rather they keep him than Meredith V.
Ehh.. no different than any other guy in any other profession doing the same. Granted, my $10K a year doesn’t really compare to his $17M.. but I guess it’s all relative. So the guy wants a raise. Not sure if that’s a legit symptom of douchebagdom.
Matt Lauer.
Stinktest. Douchebag. Ever.