CNN had their work cut out for them, at least in the financial sense, when they decided to dismiss Don Lemon. Sources familiar with the situation told Page Six that the anchor had been promised a $7 million a year salary until 2026 in his last contract negotiations, and with his ousting, the news network still had to hand over $20 million.
“Don was signed on a high seven-figure deal for the morning show last September, and is assured by CNN he will be paid the remainder of his contract, which runs until 2026,” the insider dished. To help ensure that the network will fulfill its end of the bargain, the former “CNN This Morning” anchor also reportedly hired the big guns and asked attorney Bryan Freedman to come on board to protect his interests. Coincidentally, Freedman was also hired by ex-CNN host Chris Cuomo, who also received the boot from the network in 2021. “He has retained lawyer Bryan Freedman to conclude this deal, and also to investigate if Don could be eligible to further damages surrounding the conditions of his exit,” the source added.
As of this writing, it remains unclear whether CNN has relented and given Lemon what he was promised, and if they did, the payout would significantly inflate Lemon’s net worth, which is currently at $12 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
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