Jeff Shell, the chief executive of NBCUniversal, is leaving the company after an investigation into an inappropriate workplace relationship by the company’s owner, Comcast. said in a statement on Sunday.
In that statement, Mr. Schell said Sunday was his last day and that he “had an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company.”
“I regret letting my Comcast and NBCUniversal colleagues down, they are very talented in the business and it has been a privilege to work with them for the past 19 years.”
At NBCUniversal, which he has been leading since 2020, Mr. Comcast’s terse statement did not say who would replace Shell.
In a memo to employees Sunday, Comcast’s chief executive, Brian Roberts, said Mr. Shell’s senior team will report to Comcast’s chairman, Mike Kavanagh, and Mr. Cavanaugh also said NBC would take effective control of Universal.
“We are disappointed to share this news with you,” said Mr. Roberts wrote. “We built this company on a culture of integrity. Nothing is more important than how we treat each other.
According to two people familiar with the timeline of the investigation, Mr. The investigation into Shell began in recent weeks. Mr. While the Shell investigation continued, he held previously scheduled meetings with lawmakers in Washington, D.C. and continued his duties while working on other matters. At the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington next Saturday, Mr. Schell had planned to attend with his wife.
The investigation, conducted by an outside law firm, was not widely known throughout Comcast until its conclusion, according to three people familiar with the matter. Mr. Roberts and Mr. Cavanagh said this weekend Mr. Calling executives working directly with Shell, Mr. Tell them Shell is leaving and inform them of the sudden leadership change.
This is a growing story. Check back for updates.
