Good Morning America's Josh Elliot is on the move again. He signed a deal with NBC sports earlier this week, USA Today reported.
Previous reports indicated it was about money. Elliot, who first became famous as an anchor on ESPN's Sportscenter, wanted a raise from his current $1.2 million salary to somewhere near $8 to $10 million, People reported. ABC was willing to give him $5 million. Later, Elliot denied it had to with salary. The reported numbers back him up. He'll actually be making less ($4 million) at NBC than he could have with ABC.
Really, the opportunity at NBC represents a chance for Elliot to connect his love of sports and ambitions to work for a major news network.
"It wasn't at all about anyone or anything at ABC," Elliott told People, referring not just to the money, but also to reports that the break up was less than amicable. "It was about what lies ahead for me at NBC Sports. I have always wanted to be part of an Olympics broadcast, and the opportunity to cover sports that captivate America was too good to pass up."
"There were two great offers on the table, and it certainly was a difficult choice to make. I feel I made the best one."
Elliot, 42, has always been ahead of the curve since becoming one of Sportscenter's younger anchors in 2008 (he began working for them in 2004). Though most of ESPN's reporters have a cool persona, Elliot's stood out in ways others did not. He also had undeniable chemistry with his usual co-anchor at the time, Hannah Storm -- perhaps why he was well suited for a program more about the hosts than the content.
Elliot's Sportscenter background, as well as an earlier five-year gig with Sports Illustrated, should help his credibility on NBC sports. If it's just Olympics he's after, however, he may have joined at the wrong time. There won't be another one of those until 2016.
