Keith Olbermann Left MSNBC: Fired, Quit or Retired?

MSNBC's 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' is no more. In a sudden announcement made Friday night by the network, Olbermann's last episode was broadcast on January 21, 2010. The most obvious question is did "Olbermann get fired or quit?" whichever legalese is ultimately used.

Despite rumors that Olbermann was fired from MSNBC, the official word remains that "MSNBC and Keith Olbermann have ended their contract," as per a brief statement released by the network during the final show. Olbermann thanked his fans for their support both professionally and personally.

"There were many occasions, particularly in the last two and a half years, where all that surrounded the show - but never the show itself - was just too much for me. But your support and loyalty and, if I may use the word, insistence, ultimately require that I keep going. My gratitude to you is boundless." Olberman's father had passed away recently to which he referenced their financial support for the personal tragedy as well.

(View the Keith Olbermann Farewell Statement on video)

According to the Associated Press, a spokesman said "Phil Griffin, MSNBC's president, would not comment on Olbermann's exit. Spokesman Jeremy Gaines would say only that the acquisition of NBC Universal by Comcast, which received regulatory approval this week, had nothing to do with the decision."

A former ESPN anchor, Olbermann held the largest viewing audience at MSNBC, averaging over one million viewers in 2010, and is no stranger to corporate tensions since he returned to the network in 2003.

Last November, Olbermann was suspended for two days for "making three donations to Democratic candidates without seeking approval beforehand " and tensions have been elevated since, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Dating back to the presidential election, when in September 2008, Olbermann had his anchor chair replaced by David Gregory, his four year, four million dollar contract was not endangered. Given the popularity of Countdown at the time it was open for extension through 2013.

In the last three and half years Keith Olbermann generated many headlines concerning his political opinions and the delivery of them. His future plans are unknown at this time.

Sources:

http://tunedin.blogs.time.com/2011/01/21/keith-olbermann-is-out-at-msnbc%E2%80%94immediately/
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704754304576096772622398558.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1017730/keith_olbermann_chris_matthews_demoted.html?cat=2
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TV_OLBERMANNSITE=FLTAM&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT