Lawrence O’Donnell Seeks New Deal Amid Negotiations with MSNBC

New York, NY — MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell is currently in negotiations for a revised contract that could reach $25 million, inspired by the lucrative deal of his colleague Rachel Maddow. O’Donnell has been absent from his show, ‘The Last Word,’ since March 13, as he explores potential terms with network executives amidst a rapidly changing media landscape.

According to an insider, discussions around O’Donnell’s contract have commenced, but no agreement has been reached thus far. The source described O’Donnell’s ambitions as aspirations for what is informally known within the network as ‘The Rachel Maddow Deal,’ which allows her to work just one day a week and produce a podcast.

The insider stated, ‘Lawrence has been trying to renegotiate his contract, and what he wants is what internally everyone’s calling ‘The Rachel Maddow Deal.’ That’s working about one day a week and recording a podcast, which will never happen again.’ The insider further remarked that Maddow’s unique contract, which historically required her to appear only once a week—typically on Monday nights—would likely not be replicated in today’s media environment. ‘The fact Rachel got away with it under the old regime is one of the reasons the regime changed—it was just a crazy, silly contract,’ the source commented.

Maddow’s deal has garnered significant attention, particularly as her show achieved the highest ratings at MSNBC in February, according to multiple reports. As O’Donnell’s ratings are directly influenced by Maddow, industry insiders are concerned that his numbers could drop after Rachel transitions back to a less frequent schedule.

During O’Donnell’s last appearance, he expressed fatigue, stating, ‘This is day 52. I thought it was day 92. It turns out it’s day 52, Rachel, and I’m exhausted at day 52. I’m going to take next week off.’ He had initially intended to return on March 24 but has now taken an extended leave due to health issues, which he described in a social media post as an infection. He added, ‘Expect to be back @TheLastWord next week.’

As O’Donnell contemplates his contract, there are indications that network executives are firm about their requirements for a full-time commitment at the anchor desk. These developments come amid broader organizational shifts at MSNBC, including the recent dismissal of prominent staff members and a push under MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler for the network to evolve into a more profitable entity.

One insider warned O’Donnell, stating, ‘He might cut off his nose to spite his face. If they can survive without Rachel, they can survive without Lawrence.’ This sentiment illustrates the precarious nature of O’Donnell’s situation as he considers the implications of a potential pay structure that may not align with his expectations.

While O’Donnell is voicing concerns about how Maddow’s schedule could impact his ratings and subsequently his negotiations, a representative for MSNBC challenged these assertions, suggesting they were exaggerated. The evolving dynamics at MSNBC and the uncertain future for O’Donnell’s contract continue to generate buzz within the industry.