NBC issued a statement today about The Tonight Show – here’s the official statement on Conan O’Brien’s deal with NBC to leave and Jay Leno returning as host of The Tonight Show. Sigh….

“Under terms of an agreement that was signed earlier today, NBC and O’Brien will settle their contractual obligations and the network will release O’Brien from his contract, freeing him to pursue other opportunities after September 1, 2010.”

“O’Brien will make his final appearance as host of The Tonight Show on January 22.”

Further, NBC confirmed Jay Leno’s return as host beginning on March 1:

“We’re pleased that Jay is returning to host the franchise that he helmed brilliantly and successfully for many years. He is an enormous talent, a consummate professional and one of the hardest-working performers on television.”