David Ellison to Receive $150 Million in Cash and Stock Awards Following Paramount-WBD Deal Closure
Paramount CEO Set to Receive $150 Million in Incentives Following Warner Bros. Discovery Merger
Paramount CEO David Ellison is poised to receive a substantial financial package totaling $150 million following the anticipated merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. According to an SEC filing, this includes a $50 million cash award alongside restricted stock units (RSUs) valued at $100 million.
In connection with this pending merger, other top executives will also see significant compensation. Chief Strategy and Chief Operating Officer Andrew Brandon-Gordon is slated to receive a $15 million cash bonus and RSUs worth $23 million, while Chief Legal Officer Makim Delrahim will draw $12.5 million in both cash and RSUs.
The cash portion of the awards is to be disbursed in one lump-sum payment within 30 days after the merger’s completion. Meanwhile, the RSUs will vest in equal quarterly installments over a five-year period following the closing.
Ellison’s Skydance acquired Paramount back in August 2025, marking a pivotal move in the industry. Earlier this week, Ellison confirmed that the $31-per-share cash deal, valued at approximately $111 billion, is on track for closure in the third quarter.
The number of RSUs each executive will receive depends on the volume weighted average price of Paramount’s Class B common stock trading over 20 days prior to the merger’s closing date. This valuation will range between $12 and $16.02 per share, as stated by Paramount.
These awards were detailed in Paramount’s amended 10-K annual report filed with the SEC on April 24, which also included previously reported 2025 compensation packages for Ellison ($63.2 million), former president Jeff Shell ($60.7 million), and other senior executives.
