Ann Curry Begs NBC To Release Her From Contract

Ann Curry is begging NBC to release her from her contract in order for her to formally accept a high-profile anchor job at CNN, RadarOnline.com reported Monday.

Ann Curry (Photo: NBC, Youtube)

Curry is reportedly replacing Anderson Cooper in CNN's coveted 8 p.m. time slot if NBC would let her out.

"Ann wants out of her contract, big time," a source close to the situation told RadarOnline. "She has formally asked her attorney to explore exit options from the network."

However, if Curry quits without NBC's approval, a non-complete clause prohibits her from working for another news outlet for two years, the insider said.

Curry's lawyers argue that NBC breached the terms of the contract when Curry was demoted from "Today" in June.

"Ann's lawyer feels that there is a very strong case to be made that NBC has breached terms of the deal because Curry was demoted from Today," the source told RadarOnline. "Furthermore, Ann has basically been sequestered from appearing on the network. Yes, she has been doing some work that has been assigned to her, but it hasn't been steady."

On June 28, 2012, Curry announced in an emotional broadcast on "Today" that she was leaving the show. NBC bosses reportedly asked her to resign because of lower ratings and other factors including the way she dressed and her refusal to cover her gray hair.

She then signed a new contract with the network as NBC News National and International Correspondent/Anchor and "Today" Anchor at Large.

On August 9, 2012, Curry made her first post-departure appearance on "Today" when she reported a story during the show's coverage at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. The reunion with her former co-anchor, Matt Lauer, was described in the media as "tense", "awkward" and "chilly".