It was a shock when Hoda Kotb let her fans and colleagues know she was leaving the Today Show after 17 years. However, she said she had just turned 60 and was turning the page in her life. She has two young children with whom she wants to spend more time. In the end, Hoda felt it was time to say goodbye.
However, there are now rumors that her exit had to do with her salary. Here is what we know.
Hoda Kotb Has Always Been Underpaid On Today
It has been 17 years, so many people might forget how Hoda Kotb became one of Today’s main hosts. She has worked for the show for 17 years, but until 2017, she was part of the fourth hour of Today, a position she shared with Kathie Lee Gifford. However, in 2017, Today fired host Matt Lauer.
Today fired Matt Lauer following allegations of sexual misconduct at the workplace. When they let him go, they made some quick moves and immediately moved Hoda into his spot. However, there was one problem. Matt Lauer was paid $25 million a year to host Today. Yet, Hoda was paid $7 million a year.
With that said, Hoda never complained because she felt she had gotten a dream job at Today. “Hoda isn’t complaining about the money. She has landed the big job she always dreamed of, and most definitely deserves,” one insider said (via Page Six).
There was also the thought that Matt was on the show for 25 years. Once Hoda proved herself, she could ask for a raise as well.
Did Today Ask Hoda Kotb To Take A Pay Cut?
There are now rumors that, after seven years as Today’s main host, the show asked Hoda Kotb to take a pay cut. According to sources, Hoda was making $20 million a year, which means she did get the raises she wanted after she proved herself. However, NBC is not willing to pay that much anymore (via Puck News).
One source said NBC executives “made clear to her agents that such stratospheric contracts were no longer justifiable given the industry’s inexorable decline.” Today used to bring in 4.6 million daily viewers. This month, they averaged 2.5 million.
“I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new,” Hoda said when she announced she was leaving. She said this was “the right time for me to kind of move on.” If Today was demanding a pay cut, she might have realized she could make more money elsewhere.
Hoda Kotb joined NBC in 1998 for Dateline and signed on with Today in 2008.
What are your thoughts on Hoda Kotb leaving Today? Do you think she was asked to take a pay cut? If so, is she better off moving on to something else? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Shawn S. Lealos has been a freelance writer for over 25 years and is a voting member of the Oklahoma Film Critics Circle. He is also a published author with a book about the Stephen King Dollar Baby Filmmakers.