NBCUniversal CEO out: Jeff Shell departs after admitting ‘inappropriate relationship’
Conrad Hoyt
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Comcast Corporation and NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell “have mutually agreed” that he will leave the company following an investigation into a complaint of inappropriate conduct and what Shell called an “inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company.”
Shell, who is married, took over as CEO in January 2020, per CNBC. He managed the company’s theme parks and oversaw its Peacock streaming service, sports production operations, television stations group, and entertainment and news television networks such as NBC News.
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“Today is my last day as CEO of NBCUniversal. I had an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company, which I deeply regret,” Shell, 57, said in a statement on Sunday. “I’m truly sorry I let my Comcast and NBCUniversal colleagues down, they are the most talented people in the business and the opportunity to work with them the last 19 years has been a privilege.”
Details of the investigation, such as who the woman was and how long the “relationship” lasted, were not released. However, sources told CNBC the complaint was filed by the woman whom Shell referenced in his statement. The investigation was handled by an outside counsel, according to Comcast.
“We are disappointed to share this news with you. We built this company on a culture of integrity. Nothing is more important than how we treat each other,” Comcast President Mike Cavanagh and Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said in a separate statement Sunday. “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.”
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Because he became CEO in early 2020, Shell’s tenure in the position required diligent navigation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of his legacy, on the professional side, is likely to be remembered for his emphasis on bolstering Peacock.