Paramount Skydance Appoints Former U.S. Antitrust Chief Makan Delrahim as Chief Legal Officer Amid Warner Bros Discovery Bid

Paramount Skydance has appointed Makan Delrahim, a former senior U.S. antitrust official, as its new chief legal officer as the company gears up for a potential bid for Warner Bros Discovery (WBD). Delrahim previously served as Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, where he played a central role in high-profile corporate cases, including the DOJ’s unsuccessful attempt to block AT&T’s acquisition of Time Warner in 2018.

Delrahim, who joined law firm Latham & Watkins after stepping down from public office in early 2021, brings extensive legal and regulatory expertise to Skydance. The appointment underscores Paramount Skydance’s focus on strengthening its legal strategy as it navigates major mergers and acquisitions in the evolving media and entertainment sector.

During his tenure at the DOJ, Delrahim was widely recognized for his tough stance on antitrust enforcement, particularly in the technology and media industries. He also testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee’s antitrust panel in 2019, addressing the growing concerns over the dominance of tech giants like Google. His experience in both government and private practice makes him a strategic addition to Paramount Skydance’s executive leadership.

Skydance Media, which recently completed a merger with Paramount Global after a lengthy negotiation process, relied on Delrahim’s legal expertise during the deal. His new role as chief legal officer comes at a critical time, with Paramount Skydance preparing to pursue Warner Bros Discovery, one of the entertainment industry’s most valuable assets.

The move also signals Paramount Skydance’s intent to proactively address regulatory challenges that could arise from such a significant acquisition. With Warner Bros Discovery shares slipping 0.20% and Paramount-related stocks like PSKY down 0.99%, market watchers are closely monitoring developments in this potential blockbuster deal that could reshape Hollywood’s competitive landscape.