Keith Olbermann Sues Current TV For Breach Of Contract

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Broadcaster Keith Olbermann is suing his former employer Current TV, alleging the network violated his contract by meddling in his show, disparaging him in the press, and firing him without cause while still owing him as much as $70 million.

According to the lawsuit for breach of contract, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Olbermann was promised an "unprecedented" level of control and resources to build "a new progressive network" with the nightly "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" as its centerpiece.

But the lawsuit alleges that Current was in such disrepair that it "couldn't manage to, literally, keep the lights on," let alone pay him the amount between $50 million and $70 million he contends he is owed.

After Olbermann was fired from Current TV last week after over a year at the channel, the network released a statement saying it had been "founded on the values of respect, openness, collegiality, and loyalty to our viewers.

Unfortunately these values are no longer reflected in our relationship with Keith Olbermann and we have ended it."

In the lawsuit, Olbermann, 52, contends that the termination was only "the latest in a series of increasingly erratic and unprofessional actions undertaken by Current's senior management."

The complaint further states that after beginning work at the channel, Olbermann was "disheartened to discover (Current TV co-founders) Al Gore, Joel Hyatt and the management of Current are no more than dilettantes portraying entertainment industry executives."

A Current TV representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Before coming to Current, Olbermann spent eight years hosting a commentary show at MSNBC, where he frequently feuded with Fox News broadcaster Bill O'Reilly, He was replaced at Current by former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer.