• Loading stock data...
Monday, September 15, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

Jeff Shell Out As NBCUniversal Boss After ‘Inappropriate’ Relationship

  • Shell has served as NBCUniversal’s CEO since January 2020.
  • Comcast boss Brian Roberts likely to take reins of NBA bid.
Comcast
Comcast

Jeff Shell is out as boss of Comcast Corp.’s NBCUniversal after admitting to an “inappropriate” with an unidentified female employee.

Comcast dropped the bombshell announcement Sunday as NBCUniversal gears up for a possible bid on the NBA’s multi-billion media rights. 

With Shell out the door, Comcast chairman and chief executive officer Brian Roberts is likely to call the shots on any possible NBA negotiations, said sources.

Roberts and Disney chief executive officer Rober Iger have had a personal and business rivalry for two decades. The Comcast chief would like to send Iger into retirement by taking the NBA away from Disney.

The Philadelphia-based Comcast said Sunday that Shell would depart “effective immediately” following an investigation by an outside counsel into a complaint of inappropriate conduct.

“Today is my last day as CEO of NBCUniversal. I had an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company, which I deeply regret,” said Shell in a statement. “I’m truly sorry I let my Comcast and NBCUniversal colleagues down.”

Shell’s executive team will now report to Comcast president Mike Cavanagh. But his sudden departure could create a “Succession”-like a scramble to succeed him.

The NBA’s Media Future Could Be Decided by a Bitter CEO Rivalry

Disney’s Bob Iger and Comcast’s Brian Roberts could renew their bitter feud.
April 14, 2023

Among the potential candidates are: Mark Lazarus, the widely respected chairman of NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, and Matt Strauss, chairman of direct-to-consumer and international.

In a separate memo, Roberts and Cavanagh said they were “disappointed” to share the news with employees on Sunday.

“We built this company on a culture of integrity. Nothing is more important than how we treat each other. You should count on your leaders to create a safe and respectful workplace. When our principles and policies are violated, we will always move quickly to take appropriate action, as we have done here,” they said.

Shell has served as NBCUniversal’s CEO since January 2020. Ironically, it was Shell himself who announced the departure of longtime NBCUniversal executive Ron Meyer due to an extramarital affair and alleged extortion attempt.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Padraig Harrington is interviewed by the Golf Channel on the 18th green after the final round of the TimberTech Championship at The Old Course at Broken Sound on Sunday, November 5, 2023, in Boca Raton, FL.

From Golf to EPL, Versant Targets Deals After NBCU Split

The USGA’s media-rights extension included NBCU and the spin-off Versant.

NBC Extends U.S. Open Media-Rights Deal Through 2032

One of golf’s four major championships is staying on NBC.

Disney’s Hulu Takeover Sets Stage for Deeper ESPN Integration

The ESPN parent company will pay $438.7 million to complete the transaction.

Featured Today

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8) pursues Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.

College Football Enters Week 3 Up 21% in TV Ratings

Total college football viewership across all networks is up big.
September 5, 2025

NFL’s Expected Early-Season Ratings Boost Gets Off to a Stormy Start

The kickoff game somewhat resembles the delays last year in an SNF game.
Sep 6, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of a Fox Sports camera station before the game between the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field.
September 11, 2025

Lachlan Murdoch on Fox’s Sports Strategy, FanDuel Plans

The executive calls a forthcoming streaming bundle with ESPN “essential” for fans.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 4, 2025

TNT Sports to Try Its Own Streaming App After WBD Split

TNT Sports will have its own app as a corporate split approaches.
Eagles
September 4, 2025

The Death of Streameast Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

Mirror sites began popping up Thursday, the day the NFL season begins.
September 4, 2025

3 ABC Games Top 10M Viewers Each in ESPN’s Record CFB Weekend

Miami–Notre Dame led the way with 10.8 million viewers.
September 4, 2025

Bill Belichick’s UNC Debut Draws More Than 6M Viewers on ESPN

TCU-UNC was the fifth-most-watched college football game of Week 1.