NBCContract stipulation says anchor can be fired if he offended “significant portion of the community,” according to reports
Brian Williams‘ fate at NBC could rest on a special “morality clause” in his contract, according to reports.
The contact marker reportedly says Williams could be dismissed if he offended “a significant portion of the community,” or brought himself “public disrepute, contempt, scandal or ridicule.”
To date, NBC executives have not publicly suggested Williams won’t be back: “We felt it would have been wrong to disregard the good work Brian has done and the special relationship he has forged with our viewers over 22 years,” NBC News president Deborah Turness said in a memo announcing the anchor’s suspension.
“Millions of Americans have turned to him every day, and he has been an important and well-respected part of our organization.”
As TheWrap previously reported, Williams is huddling with advisors and friends to form a comeback strategy that includes coming clean about his mistakes and apologizing to the public.
Ratings for the first week Williams was off air are scheduled to be released Tuesday. The results of those and subsequent weeks will play a factor in whether the anchor ever returns to NBC’s airwaves. Weekend “Nightly News” anchor Lester Holt is anchoring during Williams’ suspension.
NBC New, nor Brian Williams‘s attorney Bob Barnett, did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Brian Williams Contract’s ‘Morality Clause’ Could Be Final Nail in His NBC Career (Report)
