Ronna McDaniel's single interview on NBC could cost the network $30,000 per minute
AP Photo/Michael Wyke
- Ronna McDaniel wants to be paid for her two-year contract after she was axed as a NBC News contributor, per Politico.
- McDaniel made an appearance on "Meet the Press" this past Sunday and was let go on Tuesday.
- Politico reported that McDaniel recently met with attorney Bryan Freedman to discuss her options.
If former Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel has her way, she could receive a $600,000 payday after NBC News canned her as a paid contributor Tuesday after a wave of pushback.
Politico reported that McDaniel, who appeared on "Meet the Press" this past Sunday for a roughly 20-minute interview, is seeking to be paid out for her two-year contract, equalling $300,000 for each year.
It means that McDaniel's interview with moderator Kristen Welker could cost NBC News about $30,000 per minute.
But the challenge may not end there.
McDaniel on Tuesday met with attorney Bryan Freedman — who in the past has represented high-profile media figures including Megyn Kelly, Don Lemon, and Chris Cuomo after they were terminated from their respective on-air roles — according to Politico.
During McDaniel's meeting with Freedman, Politico reported that she spoke about potentially pushing for additional compensation beyond what was laid out in her contract.
Per Politico, McDaniel's allies aren't happy that NBC didn't have the ex-RNC chair meet with top anchors and hosts at the network before the start of her contributor gig — and they feel as though the network simply folded to internal pressure.
In recent days, NBC News journalists including chief political analyst Chuck Todd and "Morning Joe" hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski expressed their disapproval at McDaniel's hiring.
Scarborough and Brzezinski even went on to say that McDaniel would not be a guest on their program.
Todd on Sunday told Welker during the "Meet the Press" taping that top network leaders needed to apologize to her.
"I think our bosses owe you an apology for putting you in this situation," he said of Welker's interview with McDaniel just days after her hiring was announced. (Welker affirmed that the interview was scheduled before McDaniel had been brought on by the network.)
On Tuesday, NBCUniversal News Group chairman Cesar Conde in a memo obtained by Business Insider announced that McDaniel would no longer be a contributor "after listening to the legitimate concerns" of a range of staffers.
"Our initial decision was made because of our deep commitment to presenting our audiences with a widely diverse set of viewpoints and experiences, particularly during these consequential times," Conde wrote. "[W]e will redouble our efforts to seek voices that represent different parts of the political spectrum."
Business Insider has reached out to NBC News for comment.