Tamron Hall disclosed that she declined a $2 million annual offer from NBC after discovering she wouldn’t be appearing on the “Today” show anymore, as Megyn Kelly was taking her spot.
“My agent texted me about the changes happening. He said, ‘You’re not there anymore. Here’s what they’re offering,'” Hall explained on Scott Evans’ “House Guest” series.
Hall, who is 55, reflected on her abrupt departure from NBC’s “Today” in 2017 after being replaced. She was prepping to go live on MSNBC when she received the news.
“I sit down, and it felt surreal, almost as if everything from my life flashed before my eyes,” Hall recalled. “I immediately messaged my mom, saying, ‘I’m done.’
Despite the tempting $2 million contract to stay with NBC, Hall responded, “I’ll pass,” when it was presented to her.
When Evans expressed surprise at her decision, Hall remarked, “Not all money is worth it, you know?”
She also shared her mother Mary Newton’s supportive words following the situation. “She said, ‘I’m proud of you. We’ve had to step aside for others way too many times,'” Hall recounted.
Hall reflected on the impact of her decision on younger black women in journalism, saying, “If they see me fail, it might discourage them.” That was a turning point for her in choosing to decline the offer.
“I don’t want to come off as self-sacrificial, but I realized it doesn’t define me,” she added.
Hall was taken out of the 9 a.m. “Today” slot in 2017 when NBC brought in Kelly for the morning role after her time at Fox News. Kelly eventually took over “Today’s Take,” a slot previously held by Hall and Al Roker.
This shift stirred criticism from the National Association of Black Journalists, who accused NBC of “cheating” by replacing Hall and Roker’s show with Kelly’s. NBC defended its diversity initiatives and agreed to meet with NABJ representatives afterward.
Kelly’s run on “Today” was short-lived, concluding after just one year. Her daytime show was canceled in 2018.
In 2019, Hall launched her own syndicated daytime talk show, “Tamron Hall,” which was renewed for its eighth season earlier this year.
The Post has reached out to Hall and NBC for further comments.
