Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners pulls out of Paramount’s bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
Share this @internewscast.com

Jared Kushner’s private equity firm, Affinity Partners, has reportedly decided to withdraw from its role as a partner in Paramount Skydance’s attempted hostile takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. This decision follows Warner Bros. Discovery’s board’s unanimous recommendation to its shareholders to reject the $78 billion offer from the Ellison family, which was made public early Wednesday.

According to sources speaking with Bloomberg News, Affinity’s decision to back out came after Kushner’s involvement in the deal attracted significant controversy, particularly because his father-in-law, former President Trump, announced he would personally review the proposal.

Bloomberg reported that Kushner’s firm had initially invested $200 million in Paramount’s bid, describing it as a relatively modest contribution.

“Given the presence of two strong contenders aiming to shape the future of this unique American asset, Affinity has decided to withdraw from pursuing this opportunity further,” the investment firm stated to the financial news outlet.

“We still believe there is a compelling strategic rationale behind Paramount’s proposal,” they added.

The Post has reached out to both Affinity Partners and Paramount for comments.

WBD’s board on Wednesday told shareholders that they should reject Paramount’s offer in favor of the Netflix bid.

“Following a careful evaluation of Paramount’s recently launched tender offer, the Board concluded that the offer’s value is inadequate, with significant risks and costs imposed on our shareholders,” board chair Samuel A. Di Piazza Jr. said.

The statement from WBD’s board urging shareholders to reject Paramount’s bid likely clears the way for streaming giant Netflix to acquire the company’s most prized assets, including HBO and the Warner Bros. film studio.

The Netflix offer values WBD at $82.7 billion, or $27.75 per share. Paramount offered $30 per share all-cash for the entire WBD portfolio, which includes struggling cable television networks such as CNN.

WBD CEO David Zaslav has long preferred the Netflix bid in light of concerns about Paramount’s financing structure, including an equity backstop tied to a revocable trust linked to Larry Ellison’s family wealth.

Earlier this week, The Post reported that Paramount has no immediate plans to raise its $30-per-share, all-cash hostile bid for WBD.

Instead, Paramount is continuing to pitch shareholders that its $78 billion offer is superior to WBD’s agreed deal with Netflix.

David and Larry Ellison and RedBird Capital plan to tell shareholders they will eventually cover the $2.8 billion breakup fee tied to the Netflix deal if enough investors tender shares by the Jan. 8 deadline.

Despite expectations of a holiday bidding war, sources say Paramount believes it does not need to act quickly based on current investor feedback, The Post reported earlier this week.

Paramount argues its bid offers faster, cleaner value for shareholders compared with Netflix’s deal, which it says faces regulatory delays and complex financing.

The company says it has lined up financing from Bank of America, Apollo, Larry Ellison and Gulf state sovereign wealth funds.

WBD and Netflix counter that Paramount’s financing relies on a revocable trust tied to Larry Ellison’s Oracle stock, which has lost significant value amid a broader tech selloff.

WBD’s board on Wednesday said that the Ellison family has not provided a firm guarantee that it will make up for any potential financing shortfall for the bid.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the board reinforced that Netflix’s deal “is superior and that our acquisition is in the best interest of stockholders.”

Sarandos and fellow co-CEO Greg Peters told WBD shareholders they are confident the Netflix transaction will win regulatory approval and close within 12 to 18 months, calling the deal “the best outcome for consumers, creators, stockholders, and the broader entertainment industry.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Zelenskyy calls for US to respond to 'signals' Russia is 'preparing to make next year a year of war'

Zelenskyy Urges US Action Amid Warnings of Russia’s Escalating War Plans for 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a stark warning to the United…
FBI Leaked Memo Shows Building Domestic “Extremist” List

FBI Leak Reveals Secret Efforts to Compile Domestic Extremist Watchlist: Unveiling Controversial Tactics

Federal authorities under President Donald Trump are quietly building a domestic “extremist”…
Trump's handpicked board votes to rename Washington performing arts center the Trump-Kennedy Center

Trump-Appointed Board Decides to Rebrand Washington Arts Venue as the Trump-Kennedy Center

In a controversial decision, the board appointed by President Donald Trump has…
Reclassification of weed: President Donald Trump signs executive order today that would reclassify marijuana as less dangerous

Trump’s Executive Order Reclassifies Marijuana: A New Era for Cannabis Legalization

In a significant shift in federal drug policy, President Donald Trump has…
New 2026 Illinois laws address squatters, immigration status in schools, gun possession, opioid overdose reporting, K-9 retirement

Illinois 2026 Legislative Update: Key Laws Tackle Squatters, School Immigration Status, Gun Control, Opioid Reporting, and K-9 Retirement

CHICAGO (WLS) — A slate of new laws is set to take…
'What No Politician Has Ever Done’: TrumpRx Delivers Historic Price Cuts

TrumpRx Unveils Unprecedented Price Reductions in Historic Move

During a prime-time address from the White House on Wednesday night, President…
Alleged human smuggling operation exposed in Texas as 17 illegal aliens found inside residential home

Texas Authorities Uncover Suspected Human Smuggling Ring with 17 Undocumented Immigrants in Home Raid

Authorities have uncovered what they believe to be a human smuggling operation…
No, Congressman Thompson, Ambush and Murder Are Not an 'Unfortunate Accident'

Congressman Thompson Faces Backlash: Mislabeling Tragedy as ‘Unfortunate Accident

One of the persistent challenges in contemplating the perpetual struggle between good…
Who is Brown police chief Rodney Chatman? School's public safety department placed heavy emphasis on DEI

Meet Rodney Chatman: The Brown University Police Chief Championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The investigation into the tragic mass shooting at Brown University that claimed…
Haitian men charged with $7 million fraud scheme in Massachusetts

Massive $7 Million Fraud Scheme in Massachusetts: Haitian Men Indicted

In a significant development out of Massachusetts, two Haitian nationals have been…
Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: Australia pays price for coddling extremists

Unveiling Extremism: How Australia’s Approach Has Backfired on Antisemitism

Fox News’ “Antisemitism Exposed” newsletter highlights the troubling rise in anti-Jewish sentiment…
Hunt for Brown University killer handicapped by security lapses, campus budget cuts

Security Lapses and Budget Cuts Hinder Investigation of Brown University Murder

In a shocking turn of events during finals week, a gunman managed…