Gage Skidmore CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED, via Flickr, Cropped by Resist the Mainstream

NBC finds itself on the brink of a potential legal skirmish with former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel, who was unceremoniously ousted just days after inking a lucrative two-year contract as a contributor to the network.

Fox News' Alexis McAdams reports that McDaniel is seeking a buyout from her contract, which was purportedly valued at a hefty $600,000 over the agreed two-year period.

Despite the promise of a substantial payday, McDaniel's tenure at NBC was short-lived, with only one appearance as a political analyst on Sunday's “Meet the Press.” During her brief stint, she endured a grueling 20-minute interrogation from her colleague Kristen Welker.

In light of the quick termination, it's calculated that McDaniel could have potentially earned an eye-watering $500 per second during her fleeting tenure at NBC.

Given that McDaniel did not violate the terms of her contract, she anticipates compensation for the full $300,000 annual salary for the two-year period.

The abrupt departure elicited a statement from NBC News Chairman Cesar Conde, who emphasized the importance of organizational cohesion but provided no further details regarding the circumstances surrounding McDaniel's exit.

McDaniel, however, is not going quietly. Sources close to her indicate that she is exploring legal avenues, including claims of defamation and hostile work environment, stemming from the fallout of her hiring. Notably, she has sought counsel from attorney Bryan Freedman, known for representing ousted news anchors like Megyn Kelly, Chris Cuomo, Don Lemon, and Tucker Carlson.

Expressing frustration with NBC's handling of the situation, a source close to McDaniel condemned the network for allowing their talent to tarnish her reputation publicly. NBC's top stars, including Rachel Maddow, who reportedly commands a staggering $30 million annual salary, were among those calling for McDaniel's removal.

Despite the brewing legal storm, McDaniel has maintained a public silence regarding the controversy surrounding her employment and subsequent termination. Her allies have shifted blame onto NBC, alleging that the network misled McDaniel regarding her reception within the organization.

The decision to axe McDaniel garnered criticism from within NBC itself, particularly from its left-leaning affiliate MSNBC. Even established figures like Maddow and Chuck Todd expressed discomfort with McDaniel's hiring and subsequent dismissal, underscoring the internal division over the matter.

In response to the internal discord, NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde issued a memo to staff, accepting responsibility for the decision to part ways with McDaniel and offering apologies to those affected by the fallout.