Keith Olbermann was fired from Current TV last Thursday, but it turns out this ugly split was pretty much inevitable. The tension between the news anchor and network executives has been pretty thick for quite some time and sources are revealing the straw that finally broke the camel’s back.
On top of lacking “values of respect, openness, collegiality and loyalty,” Olbermann was fired for ├óΓé¼┼ômaterial, serial breach of contract.├óΓé¼┬¥ Current TV alleges he had missed 19 of 41 work days between January and February — an issue which culminated on Monday, March 5.
After missing so many days, the man behind the political personality worth $50 million asked to take a vacation day on the 5th, which was the day before the Super Tuesday GOP primaries. As a result, he was denied the request and the company said he’d be in breach of contract if he did decided to take it.
Well, Olbermann decided to take it off anyway. Although he was back in the office in time to cover the primaries on March 6th, the network execs decided enough was enough. The rest is history, but the future looks like “a very expensive and ugly legal battle.”
With a high profile employee taking legal action for wrongful termination, Current has enlisted in the legal team that advised the Clintons during the Whitewater and Monica Lewinsky scandals.
It sounds like the network had good reason to fire Olbermann, but he’s pretty outraged about it so maybe there are still more pertinent details in this developing story. Are U on Team Olbermann or Team Current?
[Image via WENN.]