HBO reportedly offered $250,000 in 'bounty payment' to the hackers who stole its episodes and emails

The anonymous HBO hacker has leaked a message in which an unnamed HBO executive offered a "bounty payment" of $250,000 for the data breach that came to light last week, Variety reports.

The hacker - or hackers - in question stole "thousands of Home Box Office (HBO) internal company documents," in addition to leaking unaired episodes of the HBO shows "Ballers" and "Insecure," and company emails.

In HBO's new message, leaked by the hacker and dated July 27, a network executive offers a $250,000 payment to the as a part of program in which "white hat IT professionals" are rewarded for "bringing these types of things to our attention," according to Variety.

The message also asks the hackers to extend a ransom deadline for one week in order for the network to secure and transfer the requested bitcoin payment.

"You have the advantage of having surprised us," the message reportedly reads. "In the spirit of professional cooperation, we are asking you to extend your deadline for one week."

HBO declined to comment on the leaked message to Variety.