Datena says he suggested a 70% salary reduction to Band: ‘I don’t need that much to live’

TV host and pre-candidate for Mayor of São Paulo José Luiz Datena (PSDB) says he suggested a salary reduction to Band, the broadcaster where he works and which is reportedly in crisis. According to him, his contract with the channel is ending, and a possible renewal will depend on whether or not he wins the election. When contacted, Band did not comment.

“Band contacted me because all the broadcasters are in a terrible crisis. They said they wanted, for the 15th time, to reduce my salary by R$100,000, R$150,000. I asked for a 70% reduction, so they wouldn’t be so mean to ask if I’m using politics to renew my contract,” said Datena during a debate on Tuesday (16) in the series of interviews promoted by Folha and UOL.

The Brasil Urgente presenter recalled that he had a four-year contract with the broadcaster and that he earned more than R$1 million per month. “Now in December I will finish [o vínculo]. It’s a pragmatic question, they don’t have money to pay and I don’t need that much money to live”, he said.

If he is elected the new mayor of São Paulo, Datena will receive R$35,000 per month. When asked about this change in the amounts on his payroll, he recalled 2011, when he had to pay a fine, according to him, equivalent to R$60 million to Record for breach of contract, a period in which he says he lost almost everything. He also emphasized that he and his wife, Matilde, live well with the money earned in more than 40 years of working as a broadcaster.

“It’s not public money that will support me. I’m far from being rich. Compared to other presenters, I’m middle class,” he added.

“If I am not elected, I have an agreement with Band to work for another two years with a 70% salary reduction. It was Band who wanted it, if it were up to me my contract would end and I would quit or go to another channel, who knows, maybe earning those millions that I doubt TV will pay for,” he said.