Keith Olbermann Sues Current TV Following Firing
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Donna Ward/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Keith Olbermann has made good on his threat to sue Current TV, the cable company who fired him last week.
According to TMZ.com, Olbermann filed his lawsuit Thursday in Los Angeles, alleging breach of contract, sabotage and disparagement. The left-leaning commentator says he’s owed between $50 million to $70 million in damages from the network.
Olbermann reportedly signed a five-year, $50 million contract with Current TV last year.
Olbermann alleges in his complaint that he was “enticed” to leave his previous employer, MSNBC, and continue his Countdown program on Current TV with the expectation that he would have editorial control and the support of his superiors. However, he says Current TV executives, including former Vice President Al Gore, proved to be nothing more than “dilettantes portraying entertainment industry executives.”
Olbermann says the network acted unprofessionally by not giving him full control of his show and by disparaging him publicly. He also claims the president of Current TV once said in an email, in regards to Olbermann’s studio, “We are paying for a Porsche and getting a Yugo.”
When it announced its firing of Olbermann last week, Current TV said it “was founded on the values of respect, openness, collegiality and loyalty to our viewers. Unfortunately these values are no longer reflected in our relationship with Keith Olbermann.” Olbermann subsequently threatened legal action on Twitter.
Earlier this week on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman, Olbermann said he “screwed up,” but then referred to himself as a “$10 million chandelier” without a good home at Current TV.
In response to Olbermann’s lawsuit, Current TV issued the following statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter: “It is well established that over his professional career, Mr. Olbermann has specialized in pounding the table. However, Mr. Olbermann, by filing his false and malicious lawsuit, has now put this matter into a legal process where there will be an objective review of the facts. We hope Mr. Olbermann understands that when it comes to the legal process, he is actually required to show up.”
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