Josh Elliott Leaves GMA for NBC Sports Over Failed Contract Negotiations
Nearly three years after joining the team at ABC’s Good Morning America, Josh Elliott is leaving the top-ranked program for NBC Sports after failing to reach an agreement with the network over salary, various outlets report.
Josh, considered a key part of the team to derail the Today Show’s 16-year streak as most-watched morning show, is expected to cover a number of high-profile sporting events for the network, including the NFL, the Olympics and the Triple Crown. Before joining GMA, the 42-year-old worked for ESPN.
According to sources, Josh was looking to make $10 million a year after Robin Roberts signed a reported $20 million deal with the network, a significant increase over his current $1 million salary. ABC is said to have countered with a $5 million offer in an effort to keep the Columbia-grad on the show.
Elliot with co-host Roberts
In a memo sent to staff on Sunday, ABC News President Ben Sherwood announced Josh’s departure.
“[He] let us know today that he is going to NBC Sports. As many of you know, we have been negotiating with Josh these past several months,” Ben wrote.
“In good faith, we worked hard to close a significant gap between our generous offer and his expectations. In the end, Josh felt he deserved a different deal and so he chose a new path.”
He also announced the addition of Amy Robach as Josh’s permanent replacement, who has served as a correspondent for the program since 2012. Amy is currently in recovery from breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy last November.
Elliott and Robach last year
“We always knew that Amy was special and we have all been especially inspired to watch her battle breast cancer with grace and determination,” Ben said in his staff memo.
“Indeed, she thrilled us with two weeks of memorable dispatches from Sochi anchoring our Olympic coverage — all between chemo treatments. Amy will be a fierce and formidable full-time addition to our GMA team.”
The switch-up marks the second big personnel change in less than six months after weatherman Sam Champion left the network for The Weather Channel in December. He was replaced by new weather forecaster Ginger Zee.
Robin Roberts Says Amy Robach Home After Surgery And In Great Spirits
In a series of tweets this morning, Josh thanked his former colleagues and congratulated Amy on her new role.
Impossible to quantify how much I loved–and will miss–my @GMA team: @RobinRoberts, @GStephanopoulos, @LaraSpencer & @Ginger_Zee #grateful
— Josh Elliott (@JoshElliott32) March 31, 2014
A monumental thanks to Disney/ABC TV Group president Ben Sherwood, without whom three of the best years of my life would never have been.
— Josh Elliott (@JoshElliott32) March 31, 2014
Congratulations to @arobach–a most deserving colleague and a dear, dear friend. @GMA will be the better for your presence, Amy. #proudpal
— Josh Elliott (@JoshElliott32) March 31, 2014
His fellow anchors also shared their well wishes:
Need more than 140 characters to express my love, appreciation and gratitude to @JoshElliottABC. My absolute best to you and Sarina. #XOXO
— Robin Roberts (@RobinRoberts) March 31, 2014
Congratulations to superstar @JoshElliottABC. I am so happy for your success and humbled by your friendship. #teamJosh
— Amy Robach (@arobach) March 31, 2014
Even anchors at Josh’s new network NBC welcomed the journalist over, including current Today co-host Al Roker who wrote:
Welcome, Josh Elliot to NBC Sports after your conscious uncoupling from GMA/ABC.
— Al Roker (@alroker) March 31, 2014