The End

Conan Signs Deal to Quit NBC

Walks out with $32 million.

It's official: Conan O'Brien's relationship with NBC is over. At about 1 a.m. Pacific time on Thursday, the Tonight Show host signed an agreement with NBC ending their relationship. While the final terms of the arrangement are not clear, The Wall Street Journal reports that the deal was expected to include a payout of roughly $32 million for O'Brien and $12 million for his staff, a non-disparagement clause for both parties, and a provision that O'Brien not appear on other shows or hosting his own show for a period of time. Gavin Polone, O'Brien's manager, commented: "In the end, Conan was appreciative of the steps NBC made to take care of his staff and crew, and decided to supplement the severance they were getting out of his own pocket." Polone added, "[He] just wants to get back on the air as quickly as possible."