Sonia Kruger reveals the TRUTH about her rumoured ‘seven figure’ pay deal after her defection from Nine to Seven
Former Channel Nine star Sonia Kruger has set the record straight about her rumoured ‘seven figure’ pay offer to go to the Seven network.
Speaking in TV Week magazine on Monday, the 54-year-old glamazon denied she defected to her old network over her pay packet.
‘Regardless of what was reported, the money was the same,’ she told the publication in no uncertain terms.
In the money? Sonia Kruger, 54, (pictured) has revealed the TRUTH about that rumoured ‘seven figure’ pay deal to TV Week magazine, after her defection from Nine to Seven
The former Today Extra host said she opted for the change as she wanted to take her career in a new direction.
‘You can stay and keep doing the same thing, but I like to change things up,’ she added.
‘When I left Channel Seven in 2011, I had completed 11 seasons of Dancing With The Stars so I wanted to get out while it was still on top.’
Money, money, money! ‘Regardless of what was reported, the money was the same,’ Sonia (pictured) told the publication in no uncertain terms
Sonia dramatically resigned on-air last year, when she had been a fixture at the network for eight years.
The TV personality broke down as she revealed her plans to ‘do something new’ and ‘spread her wings’, while her co-host David Campbell, 46, watched on in shock.
‘After eight fabulous years, I’m leaving the show and the Nine Network. I have had an amazing time here,’ Sonia said, as David pleaded for her not to cry.
‘I’m leaving the show and Nine’: Sonia resigned live on air on Today Extra in November last year, after eight years with the network. Pictured with co-host David Campbell (L)
An insider told Daily Mail Australia at the time: ‘She’s leaving because Channel Seven are prepared to pay far more money than Channel Nine’.
The insider claimed her new salary at Seven is said to be a package worth as much as $4million over three years, or $1.3million per year.
However, a source close to Kruger said her salary is ‘basically the same’ as she was on at Nine.
New chapter: The mother-of-one broke down as she revealed her plans to ‘do something new’ and ‘spread her wings’, while David watched on in shock during her on-air resignation
Sonia signed on with Nine in late 2011. Nine had reportedly offered Sonia a new three-year contract worth over $1.5million, but negotiations hit a wall.
Speaking in Stellar this year about her rumoured ‘seven figure deal’ from Seven the former dancer insisted that her defection had nothing to do with money.
‘For me, it doesn’t come down to the money, it comes down to the role. I’ve always been of the opinion that you need to keep reinventing yourself,’ she said.
Sonia did reveal, however, that like other Seven employees, she has received a 20 per cent pay cut amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Pay cut: The TV personality did tell Stellar that like other Seven employees, she has taken a 20 per cent pay cut amid the coronavirus pandemic, and ‘understands why’ it had to be done