UPDATE:
On top of the end of MSNBC's Countdown, The New York Times reports that Keith Olbermann is banned from television for the next six to nine months. The Times states cites "several executives involved in his exit." Other than rumors and speculation, there is still no reason for his exit from the network.
EARLIER:
By now you've probably heard that the former host of MSNBC's Countdown, Keith Olbermann, suddenly left his post on Friday after an abrupt announcement from the network. He's been hot water time and again with MSNBC, most recently for his contribution to two democratic candidates' campaigns for which he suffered a two day suspension from television, but the details are few and far between on his final split.
His Twitter page is now devoid of all MSNBC presence, stating only that "You might very well think so; I could not possibly comment," and the date of return of his baseball blog (Feb. 14). Olbermann has been known to tweet more than any human should - 20 to 30 times a day - and he's suddenly gone silent, suggesting that a temporary suspension of his online presence may be a piece of his final negotiations with MSNBC, who will continue to pay his $7 million salary through the end of the year.
Olbermann's final sign off also leans on the side of MSNBC's dismissal rather than his choice to leave (even though he played host for their top-rated show), comparing his 15-second farewell from his former post at ESPN's Sportscenter to the ample time he was afforded to say goodbye on MSNBC. He also took time to thank and apologize to his fans, but offered little to the network, touting that his show has grown over the past few years but without much thanks for the place that housed it. Those sound like the words of someone who was forced out if you ask me.
Take a look at Olbermann's final Countdown.
Source: ABC News, Hollywood Reporter, The New York Times