Ryan Seacrest’s reasoning for wanting the executive producer tag is unclear, but holding the role potentially could grant Seacrest more creative control over American Idol.
It could also just be a tag that puts Seacrest in with a group of people who stand to see a percentage of profits.
Seacrest is allegedly looking at a $10-$15 million for signing onto the show, so a producer tag could (provided profits are in his deal) eventually put his profits closer to that $25 million contract the show just signed Katy Perry on for.
That’s what’s being reported right now by TMZ, who says that the condition is holding up the deal from being solidified.