Paramount Skydance to Pay Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav Up to $886.8M
Paramount Skydance could pay Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav up to $886.8 million, including $517.2 million in equity, $34.2 million in cash and benefits, and $335.4 million in tax reimbursements as part of its $110 billion acquisition at $31 per share. Other WBD executives face golden parachutes ranging from $82.6 million to $142 million each.
1. CEO Compensation Terms
Paramount Skydance would pay Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav up to $886.8 million if its $110 billion acquisition at $31 per share closes. The package includes $517.2 million in equity awards, $34.2 million in cash and benefits, and $335.4 million in tax reimbursement obligations.
2. Acquisition Valuation and Financing
The $110 billion deal transfers Warner Bros. studios, streaming and linear TV divisions to Paramount Skydance. To secure financing confidence, Oracle founder Larry Ellison has personally backstopped $40 billion in equity funding.
3. Other Executive Payouts
Several Warner Bros. Discovery executives are also slated for sizable golden parachutes: CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels up to $120 million, CRO Bruce Campbell $121.5 million, streaming and games CEO Jean-Briac Perrette $142 million, and international president Gerhard Zeiler $82.6 million.
4. Stock Performance Post-Announcement
Since the acquisition announcement, Paramount shares have fallen over 10% this month, Warner Bros. stock is down about 4%, while Netflix shares have climbed roughly 25% after withdrawing from the bidding contest.