Megyn Kelly is a rapidly rising star at Fox News, her contract expires next year, and she has hired a new agent and publicity team to help her negotiate a hefty raise. Kelly is set to earn $15 million this year, The Wall Street Journal reports, and is seeking more than $20 million a year for her next contract, about the same as fellow Fox News star Bill O'Reilly makes (though O'Reilly's contract is up for renewal next year, too). Fox News CEO Rupert Murdoch tells The Journal, which he owns, that he is monitoring Kelly's contract talks "every minute of the day" and hopes to sign a new contract "very soon," but if Fox News and Kelly can't reach agreement, "we have a deep bench of talent, many of whom would give their right arm for her spot."
CNN and ABC are reportedly very interested in poaching Kelly, with ABC reportedly considering her for Good Morning America or an evening news magazine. Kelly, a lawyer by training, has gained notoriety through tough on-air exchanges with Donald Trump and, on Tuesday, Trump advocate Newt Gingrich. There has been speculation that with former Fox News chief executive Roger Ailes' ouster, the conservative cable news network might take a more centrist turn, and Kelly would be a key part of that strategy. Murdoch shot that idea down, telling The Journal "we're going to want Bill [O'Reilly] to stay with us," and "we're not changing direction... that would be business suicide."
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