Jeff Shell, CEO of NBCUniversal, resigns by request

NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell is leaving the company following an investigation into an inappropriate workplace relationship, the company’s owner, Comcast, said in a statement Sunday.

In the statement, Shell said that Sunday would be his last day and that he had had “an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company”.

“I am truly sorry for letting my Comcast and NBCUniversal colleagues down, they are the most talented people in the business and the opportunity to work with them for the past 19 years has been a privilege.”[ads1];

Comcast’s brief statement did not say who would replace Mr. Shell at NBCUniversal, which he has led since 2020.

In a memo to employees on Sunday, Comcast’s chief executive, Brian Roberts, said Mr. Shell’s senior team would report to Mike Cavanagh, Comcast’s president, putting Mr. Cavanagh in effective control of NBCUniversal.

“We are disappointed to share this news with you,” Mr. Roberts wrote. “We built this company on a culture of integrity. Nothing is more important than how we treat each other.”

The investigation into Mr. Shell began in recent weeks after the woman involved in the affair came forward with a complaint, according to two people familiar with the timeline of the investigation. Mr. Shell continued in his duties while the investigation was ongoing, taking previously scheduled meetings with lawmakers in Washington, DC, and working on other matters. Mr. Shell was also scheduled to attend the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, DC, with his wife next Saturday.

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 called executives who work directly with Mr. Shell this weekend to tell them that Mr. Shell was leaving and to brief them on the abrupt leadership transition.

This is a development story. Check back for updates.