Matt Lauer has softened his position about leaving "Today" in December at the end of his contract, if NBC agrees to pay him a record amount of money.

Sources connected to NBC tell TMZ Lauer was done with "Today" and wanted out , but the word at the network is he will now re-sign if NBC pays way more than the $17 million he's currently making.

Sources tell TMZ Negotiations are now ongoing, but if NBC agrees Lauer could score as much as $30 million a year.

As for the reason behind his change of heart, there are two schools of thought according to network sources. Some say Lauer changed his mind when network execs made it clear they were interested in tapping Ryan Seacrest as Matt's replacement.

Other sources claim Lauer has wanted to re-sign all along and was using the claims he would leave to score a bigger payday.

"Today" makes roughly $450 million a year for the network, more than any other show on NBC.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/02/10/matt-lauer-wants-30m-to-stay-at-nbcs-today-show-report-says/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+foxnews%2Fentertainment+%28Internal+-+Entertainment+-+Mixed%29#ixzz1lzZdtzv2

I can't imagine being so rich that a career decision could be made upon the difference of 17 and 30 million. What else is Matt Lauer going to do? Ridiculous.

that guy has all the personality of a toaster; which I am sure could do his job for a whole lot less (Geoff Petersen may be available mornings next year)

- although I do admire the way he takes on some of the jerks he has to interview. he will have no truck with guff.

TMZ need to get their facts straight on one thing: Today show makes 600 Million a year for NBC!! Not 450 Million, Maybe in 2004 they made 450 million but in 2012 it'd now 600 Million.

Also We can't believe eve thing TMZ rites, They along with a tabloid magazine claimed that Matt and Meredith were having an affair back in 2010. That was totally false then they went after Natalie Morales ad Matt! That was also False.

I think Matt is the best morning show Host ever and of all time and the greatest Today Show anchor ever in it's 60 Years, I think. He is a great Interviewer and Anchor, The Show has bee Number 1 for the entire 16 Years he has been on. say give every penny he want because Without him The Show will fall back behind GMA! I can not imagine The Today Show without Mattt! And I don't really want to imagine the show without it him. Matt is The Today show as far as I am concerned and it would be a huge mistake letting him go. I understand that Everybody has leave at some point but Matt leaving will be a huge loss for Today Show actually the biggest loss ever for the Today Show in it's 60 Years History! as for as i am concerned. Also I f I had to sit next to Ann every morning I would want a raise also. I would not be surprise If NBC gives Matt all the money he want, Because they know The Today show is Vulnerable without Matt and the only thing that is keeping Today show ahead of GMA in the ratings at this moment is Matt. Give him the Money NBC!