Ryan Seacrest’s contract to serve as the host of Fox Entertainment’s “American Idol” television show expires after this season and the parties are in the process of negotiating a new deal. Seacrest has hosted the program since its debut in 2002.
Concurrently, Seacrest is involved in talks with Comcast, the owners of NBC Universal. Seacrest has a contract with NBC Universal’s E! Entertainment and is reportedly being considered as a replacement should Matt Lauer decide to leave the “Today” show.
Having a Plan B and taking concrete steps to turn it into a practical possibility will improve your leverage in a negotiation. Whether by design or not, this is exactly what Seacrest has accomplished here.