Rockin' Robin! GMA's Roberts Re-Ups With ABC For Rich Deal That Will Pay Her Up To $14 Million A Year
Dec. 19 2013, Published 7:47 a.m. ET
Quelling some of the headaches they've had with Good Morning America as of late, ABC execs can breath easier Thursday after re-signing the show's star, Robin Roberts, to a long-term deal insiders estimate will pay the co-anchor an annual salary between $13 million and $14 million.
“Over a month ago, they quietly inked a new, long-term, very high seven-figure deal with Robin that will keep her at the company for years to come … it was a friendly negotiation,” a source told the NY Post, estimating the total value of the new pact to be in the “high-seven figures” range.
The 53-year-old TV personality, who has more than two decades of tenure at the network, "will be a leader there for a very long time to come," the source told the paper.
The broadcast journalist, who took a 174-day hiatus following her 2012 bone marrow transplant, “was extremely grateful for the kindness and love shown by everyone while she was sick.
“She made it clear to her reps that she wanted them to drive a fair deal, but didn’t want to create any kind of bidding war,” according to the insider.
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As we previously reported, the surging ABC morning show, which has sunk it's rival TODAY show in the ratings for much of the past two years, has had a mini-crisis on its' hands in keeping their dream team together. Longtime weatherman Sam Champion left last month for a more high-profile spot with The Weather Channel, and Josh Elliott and Lara Spencer have also sought big raises with the rainfall of success.
The source speculated to the paper that Roberts' new contract might set the bar for what the pair seek in re-negotiation.
“The question is: If Robin got that big a deal, can they open their pocketbooks for everybody? The show’s been a success as an ensemble, but now every part of that ensemble wants to get paid.”