Comcast spinoff Versant announces board of directors. Here’s the slate

Comcast spinoff Versant announces board of directors. Here’s the slate


Versant signage on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, US, on Monday, July 21, 2025.

Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Comcast on Thursday announced the expected board members of its cable networks spinout, Versant.

They come from backgrounds in media, technology, finance and other industries, according to Versant.

Versant will be the parent company of what are now NBCUniversal’s cable networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel. On the digital front, it is also set to house Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass and SportsEngine.

The spinoff is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Here’s the slate of board members:

Mark Lazarus

Mark Lazarus is the CEO of Versant. Previously, he was chairman of NBCUniversal Media Group.

Mark Lazarus, CEO of Versant, visits the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., July 21, 2025.

Brendan McDermid | Reuters

“The announcement of the future Board marks a critical milestone as we define our long-term strategy
and advance the value of our iconic media portfolio,” said Lazarus in a statement. “I look forward to collaborating with this distinguished group as we establish a leading independent media company.”

David Novak

David Novak is the prospective chairman of Versant.

He is a longtime board member of Comcast and the former CEO of Yum! Brands. He will resign from his position on Comcast’s board at the time of the spinoff, according to Versant.

Rebecca Campbell

Rebecca Campbell is the former chairman of international content and operations at The Walt Disney Company. She is also the interim CEO of Meow Wolf, an arts and entertainment company.

Creighton Condon

Creighton Condon is counsel at global law firm of A&O Shearman, advising clients on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures. He also counsels boards of directors and special committees.

Michael Conway

Michael Conway is the former CEO of Starbucks North America. Prior to Starbucks, he worked at Johnson & Johnson and Campbell Soup Company. He has also served as a McCormick board director for the past 10 years.

David Eun

David Eun is a founding advisor to generative artificial intelligence firm Kanza AI, which is focused on health, wellness and medicine. He is also co-founder of investment firm Alakai Group. Previously, he was president and chief innovation officer of Samsung Electronics.

Gerald Hassell

Gerald Hassell is the former chairman and CEO of The Bank of New York Mellon. He is also a former director of Comcast and MetLife.

Scott Mahoney

Scott Mahoney is the chairman and CEO of Peter Millar, a golf apparel company. He previously worked at Polo Ralph Lauren. He is also on the board of directors of Fleet Feet, a running shoe and apparel company.

Maritza Montiel

Maritza Montiel is the former deputy CEO and vice chairman of Deloitte & Touche LLP’s U.S. business.

Montiel has served on the board of directors at McCormick for the past 10 years and is currently on the board of directors for cruise company Royal Caribbean. She is a former director of Comcast and APTAR.

Len Potter

Len Potter founded Wildcat Capital Management, a registered investment advisor, and has served as its president and CEO since its start. He is also a founder and senior managing director of Vida Ventures, a biotech venture fund.

Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal, which owns CNBC. Versant would become the new parent company of CNBC under the proposed spinoff.



Source

How Build-A-Bear went from a penny stock to a retail winner
Business

How Build-A-Bear went from a penny stock to a retail winner

Build-A-Bear Workshop wasn’t always a retail winner. The toy store, known for its interactive experience of building and accessorizing stuffed animals, has gone through a significant turnaround since CEO Sharon Price John took the helm of the company over a decade ago. “When I first came in 2013, that assessment of the brand was strong,” […]

Read More
Inside the dealmaking that pushed Trump to reclassify pot, expand access
Business

Inside the dealmaking that pushed Trump to reclassify pot, expand access

President Donald Trump’s move Thursday to sign an executive order easing federal restrictions on marijuana — and clearing the way for a Medicare pilot program covering CBD — caps a coordinated, yearlong push by the cannabis industry that combined traditional lobbying, sizable political donations, data-driven messaging and direct outreach to the president’s inner circle, industry […]

Read More
Shoppers are focusing on quality, not deals, in the final days before Christmas
Business

Shoppers are focusing on quality, not deals, in the final days before Christmas

While discounts drive purchasing in the early days of the holiday shopping season, consumers are shifting into more thoughtful, quality gifts in the back half of the season as total spending growth slows. U.S. consumers had spent $187.3 billion so far online between Nov. 1 and Dec. 12, up 6.1% from the same stretch last […]

Read More