It’s crunch time for ABC and “Good Morning America” anchor Josh Elliott as the clock ticks down on his contract expiration. Elliott, who’s now making about $1.2 million a year, is demanding $8 million a year to stay, sources exclusively tell Page Six.
Elliott has just four weeks left on his contract, and the two sides are deadlocked over cash. Meanwhile, Elliott is also in talks with NBC to possibly jump ship and take on a role covering both news and sports there.
A source told us: “Josh knows he is integral to the success of ‘GMA’ and wants a huge pay increase to stay. He wants $8 million, while ABC is offering $4 million. Josh’s background is sports. He started at ESPN, so his agents at CAA [Creative Artists Agency] have been actively talking to NBC about a part-news, part-sports role, like a younger Bob Costas.”
The source added: “Josh only has four weeks left on his contract, and there’s a lot of talk about how CAA has dragged the negotiations out. ABC wants Josh to stay. He is a very talented broadcaster, but $8 million is too much. He isn’t bigger than ‘GMA.’ ”
Meanwhile, a different source said, “Everyone at ABC is freaking out that he might leave and what they would do if he did.”
Elliott’s “GMA” co-star, Lara Spencer, is believed to be ready to sign a new contract after much more straightforward negotiations between ABC and her agent, Jon Rosen.
It is believed that Elliott may have upped his salary ambitions after the wildly popular Robin Roberts last year inked a long-term deal worth around $14 million a year.
Elliott is in a strong position because he knows how crucial he is to the success of “GMA.” He joined the show in April 2011, and a year later, “GMA” broke the rival “Today” show’s 16-year winning streak.
An ABC spokesman said: “Josh is a real star. We never comment on contract negotiations, but we expect him to have a long and terrific career at ABC.”