From CNN to ESPN?
Both The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline are reporting tonight that CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker is in contention to be the next president of ESPN.
Per THR:
Multiple sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that Zucker has thrown his hat in the ring to run ESPN in the wake of John Skipper’s abrupt departure in December.
Zucker has had no direct conversations with Disney CEO Robert Iger, who is working with acting ESPN chairman George Bodenheimer to identify a successor.
Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva, meanwhile, is saying, “I hear that he met with Disney chairman and chief executive officer Bob Iger last week in New York, though other sources dispute that the two have met.”
Before going to CNN, Zucker was President and CEO of NBC Universal, and he has been called out by President Trump both positively and negatively in the past few years:
.@CNN is looking at Jeff Zucker to lead them out of the forest–Jeff would be a great choice.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2012
Great move by CNN if they sign Jeff Zucker. He was responsible for me and The Apprentice on NBC—became #1 show!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2012
I can’t believe that @CNN would waste time and money with @smerconish – he has got nothing going. Jeff Zucker must be losing his touch!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 5, 2014
Jeff Zucker failed @NBC and he is now failing @CNN.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 9, 2016
Mediaite has reached out to Zucker for comment.
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