When former CNN chief Jeff Zucker stonewalled Chris Cuomo and refused to pay out the roughly $18 million that was on the rest of his contract, Cuomo’s attorneys determined to go over his head: They went to AT&T, CNN’s proprietor, sources accustomed to the matter informed The Publish.
Cuomo’s attorneys argued AT&T was concerned in selective enforcement, in accordance with the sources. Zucker — who violated firm coverage by dating a colleague without disclosing it — was in a position to maintain onto his comfortable job, however Cuomo had gotten the boot for serving to his brother, now-former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, navigate sexual harassment claims.
Given these circumstances, Cuomo’s attorneys argued, AT&T ought to pay Cuomo the complete $18 million he was demanding.
However as an alternative of paying up, AT&T compelled Zucker to resign after Cuomo squealed on him to the telecom large, sources informed The Publish.
From a monetary standpoint, it seems Cuomo hasn’t gotten the windfall he was in search of. Sources accustomed to the matter say AT&T hasn’t coughed up the $18 million. However from one other standpoint, he may need achieved some vindication.
“It reveals clearly CNN is a mess — and in addition distress loves firm,” one supply mused.
AT&T and CNN didn’t return requires remark. An lawyer for Cuomo, Bryan Freedman, additionally didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
After AT&T grew to become formally conscious of the state of affairs with Zucker, it probably needed to do one thing, sources mentioned.
“How do you fireplace a journalist who violates a coverage whereas the CEO will get away with violating a coverage?” mentioned one supply accustomed to the matter.
The PR fallout for AT&T – an organization with a market capitalization of $175 billion – would have been far worse than any potential settlement that might nonetheless include Cuomo, one supply famous.
Cuomo nonetheless needs to succeed in a settlement with CNN, sources mentioned.
