If you're holding out hope that Maria Shriver is going to return to NBC News full time, you can forget it.

At least according to TMZ.

The gossip site says that NBC would love to have Shriver back in the fold, but there is no way they can afford her.

TMZ writes that here's the real deal breaker ... Maria is loaded. Her reported worth is north of $100 mil and that could increase by as much as $200 mil when her divorce is final. We're told the networks have offered her money at various times and for most people it would be a huge deal -- for Maria ... sources say it's not gonna change her life and isn't nearly enough to make her sign a contract.

Of course this is the same site that said Rapper Lil Wayne was on his Death Bed receiving last rites.... a day later he walked out of the hospital.

So maybe Maria will be back after all. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.