SIMMONS
‘CO’ FOR IT: WNBC’s Shiba Russell is the front-runner to become evening co-anchor, but her contract gets her more cash either way. (
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The front-runner for Sue Simmons’ anchor spot is going to come out ahead — whether she’s picked for the job or not.
Shiba Russell, considered Simmons’ “heir apparent,” has a clause in her contract that mandates a $600,000 payday if she’s passed over for the coveted job, sources said.
The current co-anchor of the noon and 5 p.m. newscasts negotiated the sweetheart deal when she came to WNBC/Channel 4 in February 2011, said a source briefed on the documents.
It’s “a hefty sum,” said the source about the $600,000 golden parachute. “She’s the heir apparent.”
The single mom, who joined WNBC from a Boston affiliate, is viewed among peers as a younger, sexier version of the iconic New York anchor.
And she’s sure to please the bean counters at NBC parent company Comcast: Her $400,000 annual salary is considerably more manageable than Simmons’ $5 million, sources said.
A spokeswoman for NBC declined to comment.
The Post first reported this week that NBC refused to renew Simmons’ contract because she’d lost interest in the position to the point where she casually dropped the F-bomb on air.
Russell, 36, is supposedly lobbying hard for the job, sources said. But even with her $600,000 safety net, the promotion isn’t sewn up yet, sources said.
Industry insiders argued that Russell isn’t recognizable enough to handle one of the most high-profile media jobs in New York City.
“A year in New York may not have been enough time to develop the kind of recognition to anchor the flagship newscast,” explained a major newscaster agent.
“Ask 10 people on the street if they’ve ever heard of Sue Simmons and you’ll probably get 10 people saying yes,” said the agent. “Ask 10 people on the street if they’ve ever heard of Shiba Russell and they’ll probably look at you funny.”
Russell isn’t the only in-house personality jockeying for the job.
Other names in the mix include Melissa Russo, one of the station’s ace investigative reporters and occasional fill-in anchor.
Also vying for the spot is longtime NBC talent Darlene Rodriguez, who anchors “Today in New York” at 4:30 a.m.
Or NBC brass could just leave the spot open.
“There’s the possibility they might just let Chuck [Scarborough] do [the 11 p.m. news] by himself,” said another industry insider who represents one of the potential replacements.
The station refused to renew Simmons’ contract after 32 years — a decision that drove fans to defend her on social networks.
“Sue Simmons — an icon, a tv legend, my friend & mentor,” tweeted co-worker Rodriguez. “She achieved what many strive for but few will attain. I adore her & always will.”
ABC’s Katie Couric also posted her support. “Sue Simmons is a NY institution. I’ll miss her!”
And actor Alec Baldwin tweeted, “My first job was at 30 Rock and I had a crush [on] Sue Simmons.”
Other fans were less cordial.
“SHAME ON YOU @WNBC for getting rid of iconic NYC tv legend, Sue Simmons!” tweeted fan Bevy Smith.