Sacked CNN anchor Don Lemon is reportedly leaving the network with at least $25 million. He reportedly signed a high $7 million-a-year contract in September 2022 that was supposed to run until 2026. The 51-year-old former co-host of “CNN This Morning” was however let go by the network. It currently seems like he is preparing for a potential legal battle against his former employer.
According to a report by Page Six, Lemon has hired high-powered Los Angeles entertainment attorney, Bryan Freedman. Freedman is supposed to secure his exit and also investigate whether he is entitled to further settlement. Freedman is the co-founder of the law firm, Freedman & Taitelman LLP. He is also representing Lemon’s former CNN colleague Chris Cuomo, who was sacked in 2021. He was allegedly advising his brother, then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, during the latter’s public scandals.
Furthermore, he is also demanding $125 million for being fired.
A source with knowledge of Lemon’s deal at CNN told the publication that he was signed on a high seven-figure deal for the morning show last September. He was also assured by CNN that he will be paid the remainder of his contract, which runs until 2026. The source added that Lemon has retained lawyer Bryan Freedman to conclude this deal and to investigate whether he could be eligible for further damages surrounding the conditions of his exit.
It remains to be seen what Lemon’s potential legal battle against CNN will entail, but his move to hire a high-powered attorney indicates that he may not be satisfied with the network’s payout offer. As for Chris Cuomo, he remains in litigation with the network and claims he was entitled to a staggering $125 million payout because CNN allegedly defamed him on his way out the door. He called his termination by CNN “the epitome of hypocrisy,” according to the legal papers.
