Ann Curry's Firing Request to NBC: Anchor Begs Release from Contract, Wants Anderson Cooper's Job at CNN

Former "Today" show anchor Ann Curry desperately wants out of her contract with NBC so that she can accept an even more high-profile job from CNN, RadarOnline reports.

Former NBC head and Curry's former "Today" show boss, Jeff Zucker, apparently has his heart set on Curry to replace Anderson Cooper in his coveted 8 p.m. time slot. Zucker will take over as president for CNN in February. Curry is stuck in a quandary, though. If she leaves before her contract is up she is banned by a clause in the contract from working for any other news outlet for two years.

"Ann wants out of her contract, big time," a source close to the situation told RadarOnline. "She has formally asked her attorney to explore exit options from the network."

However, Curry's bosses at NBC are reportedly not ready to cut her loose, at least without a fight.

"If Ann were to just quit, there is a non-compete clause, which would prohibit her from working for another news outlet for two years," an insider told RadarOnline.

Curry is clearly ready to give NBC the fight it wants if that gets her out of her contract. The newsperson's lawyers are claiming Curry's dramatic demotion from the "Today" show in April 2012 breached the terms of her contract with NBC.

"Ann's lawyer feels that there is a very strong case to be made that NBC has breached terms of the deal because Curry was demoted from 'Today,'" the source told RadarOnline.

"Furthermore, Ann has basically been sequestered from appearing on the network. Yes, she has been doing some work that has been assigned to her, but it hasn't been steady."

At the time of Curry's demotion it was reported NBC made the move to curb a steep drop in the "Today" show's ratings; she was fired after the program lost its No. 1 ratings slot. That strategy seems to have backfired. The "Today" show finished out 2012 still trailing behind its main rival, ABC's "Good Morning America."

The depressing ratings have vindicated Curry, according to RadarOnline.

"The numbers just don't lie. [Ann] wasn't responsible for the show tanking in the ratings," the insider told the Daily Mail. "Ann doesn't like the fact that the show isn't back on top, but her on-air presence wasn't the problem."

"In fact, the show lost more viewers after Ann departed the show. As long as Ann remains at NBC, it will be a constant reminder to everyone of how badly the situation was handled."

"It would be so much better for NBC, Ann, and CNN if she was let out of her contract. It would be a new beginning and a chance for all parties involved to move on, once and for all."