Television personality Keith Olbermann filed a lawsuit against his former employer, Current TV, on Thursday, claiming a breach of contract, unfair dealing, and disparagement in California Superior Court. Olbermann was terminated last week by Current TV, which is led by co-founders former Vice President Al Gore and businessman Joel Hyatt. According to the lawsuit, which seeks a jury trial, Olbermann claims that the network owes him $50 million to $70 million in cash and equity compensation.
“In its most recent breach, Current unilaterally, and without cause, terminated its agreement with Olbermann. Current’s sudden and public termination of Olbermann was the latest in a series of increasingly erratic and unprofessional actions undertaken by Current’s senior management,” the lawsuit said. According to Olbermann’s suit, it called Gore, Hyatt, and Current management “no more than dilettantes portraying entertainment industry executives.” In a statement released on Thursday, Current said it fired Olbermann for “serial, material breaches of his contract, including the failure to show up at work, sabotaging the network and attacking Current and its executives.” The statement continued “However, Mr. Olbermann, by filing his false and malicious lawsuit, has now put this matter into a legal process where there will be an objective review of the facts. We hope Mr. Olbermann understands that when it comes to the legal process, he is actually required to show up.”
