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

Ford to record .5 billion in special charges related to EV pullback
Business

Ford to record $19.5 billion in special charges related to EV pullback

DETROIT — Ford Motor expects to record about $19.5 billion in special items related to a restructuring of its business priorities and a pullback in its all-electric vehicle investments, the company announced Monday. The Detroit automaker said most of those charges will occur during the fourth quarter. That will be followed by $5.5 billion in […]

Read More
Frontier Airlines replaces CEO Barry Biffle with carrier’s president
Business

Frontier Airlines replaces CEO Barry Biffle with carrier’s president

Barry Biffle, president and chief executive officer Frontier Airlines, prior to a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. Kent Nishimura | Bloomberg | Getty Images Frontier Group Holdings, the parent of budget carrier Frontier, replaced its nearly decade-long CEO, Barry Biffle, […]

Read More
From puppies to superheroes, Chinese AI toys are bringing hugs — and hesitation
Business

From puppies to superheroes, Chinese AI toys are bringing hugs — and hesitation

Haivivi Bubblepal, an AI toy. Courtesy: Haivivi It seems everyone is talking about AI these days — even Ultraman.  When asked if investors should be worried about an AI bubble, the new second generation CocoMate AI-powered plush toy by Chinese company Haivivi warned about the dangers of speculation in AI stocks. “The AI market has […]

Read More