WBD CEO David Zaslav Sells Over $114 Million in Company Stock
David Zaslav, president and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), filed to sell over $114 million worth of company stock. This significant action occurred less than a week after WBD secured a deal for a potential acquisition by Paramount Skydance.
David Zaslav, president and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), filed to sell over $114 million worth of company stock.
Details of the Stock Sale
The SEC filing on Tuesday indicated that Zaslav is selling 4,004,149 shares of WBD stock, with an aggregate market value of $114,118,246. The stock sale date was listed as March 3. These particular shares were granted as part of his employment agreement, which spans from January 2023 to February 2026.
Post-Sale Holdings and Net Worth
Despite this recent transaction, Zaslav retains additional stock and options in WBD. These assets will remain valid and eligible for vesting if Paramount Skydance's acquisition of the company closes, as per WBD's amended contracts for its executives in November. Following this sale, Zaslav's net worth is estimated to exceed $1 billion.
Recent Compensation Package
In 2024, Zaslav's compensation package totaled $51.9 million, representing a 4.4% increase from the previous year. This comprehensive package included a base salary of $3 million, $23.1 million in stock awards, $23.9 million in bonus compensation, and $1.9 million in other compensation.
Future Compensation and Shareholder Concerns
In June 2025, WBD entered into a new employment agreement with Zaslav. This development followed a symbolic, non-binding vote by a majority of WBD stockholders against the pay packages of Zaslav and other top executives. The new agreement is intended to significantly reduce his target annual compensation, including a lower annual cash compensation opportunity and a reorientation of the total pay mix toward long-term incentives.