Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has recently filed to sell over $114 million worth of stock in the company. This move comes shortly after Warner Bros. Discovery agreed to sell itself to Paramount Skydance for $31 per share, following the collapse of a deal with Netflix.
According to an SEC filing from the company, Zaslav is selling 4,004,149 shares of Warner Bros. Discovery stock, with a total market value of $114,118,246. The stock sale took place on March 3 and the shares were granted to Zaslav between January 2023 and February 2026 as part of his employment agreement with the company.
Zaslav still holds additional stock and options in Warner Bros. Discovery that will remain valid and eligible for vesting if the $111 billion acquisition deal with Paramount Skydance goes through. This deal was established in November under the amended contracts for Zaslav and other top executives. It is estimated that Zaslav’s net worth will exceed $1 billion after the sale of the company.
Over the years, Zaslav has been known as one of the highest-paid executives in the media and entertainment industry. In 2024, his total compensation reached $51.9 million, which included a base salary of $3 million, stock awards worth $23.1 million, bonus compensation of $23.9 million, and other benefits totaling $1.9 million.
In response to shareholder concerns, Warner Bros. Discovery entered into a new employment agreement with Zaslav in June 2025. This agreement aims to significantly reduce his target annual compensation by lowering his cash compensation opportunity and focusing more on long-term incentives, as stated by the company.
Overall, Zaslav’s decision to sell a significant amount of stock in Warner Bros. Discovery reflects the ongoing changes and developments within the company, particularly in light of the upcoming acquisition by Paramount Skydance.
