Jeff Shell exits Paramount amid legal battle and Skydance's Warner Bros. Discovery takeover bid

Longtime media executive Jeff Shell is leaving Paramount.

The move arrives amid a messy legal battle and the Skydance-owned company’s ongoing efforts to take over Hollywood rival Warner Bros.

Discovery.

Paramount confirmed Wednesday that Shell decided to “transition” from his role as president and board member.

The board reviewed allegations from a lawsuit claiming Shell violated securities disclosure rules but found no evidence.

Last month, Shell was sued for fraud by R.J. Cipriani, who claimed he provided Shell 18 months of crisis communications services without compensation.

Shell countered, accusing Cipriani of defamation and extortion.

Shell was previously CEO of NBCUniversal, but left in 2023 over an inappropriate relationship.