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Fortune Profiles Dick
Ebersol In Latest Issue |
NBC Universal Sports & Olympics Chair
DICK EBERSOL has a “sway that goes
way beyond his title,” according to an extensive profile by FORTUNE’s Patricia
Sellers. Last November, he “played a critical behind-the-scenes role in a top-level
reorganization” when
JEFF ZUCKER was promoted to NBC Universal TV CEO.
When Ebersol learned that NBC Universal TV Networks Group President
RANDY FALCO
“and other key executives were unhappy with planned shifts of responsibility and
were inclined to leave the network,” he called GE Chair
JEFFREY IMMELT
and NBC Universal CEO
BOB WRIGHT, “effectively brokering a realignment
that everybody could live with.” Ebersol proposed that “all [NBC’s] senior TV
execs –- including himself –- report to Zucker.” Sellers writes, “None of the
people involved are comfortable discussing the episode, but some close to the
situation call Ebersol’s performance remarkably generous.” Ebersol also “knows
how to be the consummate company man,” as he structured NBC’s recent Olympics
and NFL deals to include “opportunities for various GE divisions to sell goods
and services.” Immelt said the ’08 Beijing Games will be worth $800M-1B to the
company, and added, “By mimicking that deal with the NFL contract, we could get
up to $200[M] a year in revenues there too” (
FORTUNE,
5/1 issue).
