Amid talks of Warner Bros. Discovery splitting and potential buyout offers, changes have been made to David Zaslav’s compensation package to ensure his stock options are secure regardless of the company’s future. The adjustments to Zaslav’s stock option agreement, originally made in June during a period focused on separating the company’s TV networks, aim to align his incentives with shareholder interests during the ongoing strategic review.

The agreement specifies that if the company proceeds with a ‘reverse spinoff’ by keeping Warner Bros. and spinning off Discovery Global, Zaslav’s payout will be treated similarly to the initial separation plan, as long as it’s completed before the end of 2026. It also broadens the conditions for his stock options to vest in case of a change in control, excluding a sale of Discovery Global.

Reports indicate that Paramount, Comcast, and Netflix are preparing bids for Warner Bros. Discovery before a Nov. 20 deadline for initial offers. If an agreement is reached before Dec. 31, 2026 without a separation, Zaslav’s term will extend until at least 2030, ensuring his leadership continuity. In the event of a separation, Zaslav’s compensation structure will be adjusted to enhance long-term incentives for better pay-for-performance alignment.

Warner Bros. Discovery has also extended similar agreements to other executives like CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels, Chief Revenue and Strategic Officer Bruce Campbell, and JB Perrette, president and CEO of global streaming and games, contingent upon a separation.

Disclaimer: This article has been auto-generated from a syndicated RSS feed and has not been edited by Vitrina staff. It is provided solely for informational purposes on a non-commercial basis.