Today show star Sarah Abo has reportedly hired a celebrity dealmaker to handle negotiations with Nine amid bombshell claims Samantha Armytage could replace her.
The TV presenter, 39, has hired celebrity accountant Anthony Bell to assist with her contract negotiations, Sunday Confidential has reported.
This is the first time Abo has had another person formally represent her.
Bell is known for his work with several high-profile clients including Michael Clarke, Karl Stefanovic, Alli Langdon and David Warner.
According to sources, Abo and her co-host Karl Stefanovic haven’t signed their contracts yet but the ‘deal is all but done’.
Abo currently makes $800,000 a year, according to Mediaweek, while Stefanovic landed himself a $3 million per year contract.
Today show star Sarah Abo (pictured) has reportedly hired a celebrity dealmaker to handle negotiations with Nine amid bombshell claims Samantha Armytage could replace her
The TV presenter, 39, has hired celebrity accountant Anthony Bell to assist with her contract negotiations, Sunday Confidential has reported. Pictured Bell and his wife Annika
It comes amid news of a potential shake-up, with many viewers arguing it would be a mistake for Nine to give Abo’s Today chair to Armytage.
‘Karlos and Sarah are just fine atm. No need to change,’ one offered.
Another suggested there had already been too many personnel changes announced at the network.
‘The one thing Today doesn’t need is another presenter change, from the change at sport, to a new Weekend Today line-up next year, it’s in for a lot of change,’ the viewer said.
‘Changing out Sarah is not necessary. I don’t believe it will help the ratings.’
One said that the potential move could backfire on Nine, especially if the Armytage-hosted Golden Bachelor fails to win over fans.
‘They would want to be careful about putting Sam in their show, as you never know. The Golden Bachelor might rate terribly, and it could be an embarrassment to put her on Today if the show isn’t good,’ they said.
Others were quick to claim that Armytage would be a perfect addition to the Today team.
Abo makes $800,000 a year, according to Mediaweek, while her co-host Karl Stefanovic (left) landed himself a $3 million per year contract
‘I for one would love to see Sam back on morning television,’ a viewer offered.
‘Her fun personality and versatile ability as a host makes her perfect for the format.’
According to The Australian, Nine is banking on the ‘Armytage effect’ which saw Sunrise score a ratings victory when Armytage joined the program in 2013.
Armytage left Sunrise in 2021 and has gone on to helm Farmer Wants A Wife and the upcoming Golden Bachelor.
Nine CEO Matt Stanton did little to dispel the chatter regarding Abo’s future at Today, giving The Australian a coy response when asked if Armytage was stepping into the role alongside Stefanovic.
‘I don’t know. I’m not into that level to be honest, I haven’t seen that level of detail,’ Stanton told the publication this week.
Abo joined Today in 2023, replacing outgoing host Allison Langdon.
Langdon had announced her departure in 2022. She then stepped into the hosting role at A Current Affair, replacing long-time presenter Tracy Grimshaw.
It comes amid news of the potential shake-up generated much chatter, with many viewers arguing it would be a mistake for Nine to give Abo’s Today chair to Armytage (pictured)
Abo’s reported recent push for a bigger pay packet is part of the motivation for the switchup, The Australian claimed.
Stefanovic has recently been offered a multi-million, multi-year deal by Nine, but the network is keeping an eye on the ratings under Karl’s reign.
The breakfast show host reportedly landed himself a $3 million per year contract, according to The Australian in June.
‘Nine sources tell us the network’s top brass have just finished passing a hat around at their Denison St headquarters in North Sydney and have managed to scrape together enough loose change to offer him a contract worth about $3 million a year,’ the paper’s Media Diary wrote of Stefanovic’s pay packet.
Sitting on a $2.8 million a year contract at the time, Stefanovic was rumoured to see a significant increase in his pay as he continued to front the successful breakfast show.
According to the publication, Nine is said to have given in to the TV presenter’s demands after he threatened to walk away if they offered a lower amount on a new contract.
The news came as a shock considering rival breakfast hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington make a meagre $2 million between them.
