NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell ousted after investigation found inappropriate relationship with female staffer that he deeply regrets

NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell is leaving the company after an investigation found he had an inappropriate relationship with a female staffer.

Shell issued a statement on Sunday regarding his immediate departure from the company.

"Today is my last day as CEO of NBCUniversal. I had an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company, which I deeply regret," Shell said. "I'm truly sorry I let my Comcast and NBCUniversal colleagues down, they are the most talented people in the business and the opportunity to work with them the last 19 years has been a privilege."

The statement noted that NBCUniversal's parent company Comcast and Shell had "mutually agreed" that the CEO departs the company immediately following the company's "investigation led by outside counsel into a complaint of inappropriate conduct."

"Even those inside Universal were shocked by the announcement. 'We’re dealing with this in real-time,' says one exec. Another source says Mike Cavanaugh, president of Comcast, is expected to assume a larger role for the time being," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Shell took over the role of NBCUniversal CEO on Jan. 1, 2020.

Shell's company biography at NBCUniversal reads: "He oversees the company’s valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premiere motion picture company, significant television and sports production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks and a premium ad-supported streaming service."

Prior, Shell was the Chairman of NBCUniversal Film and Entertainment, president of Comcast Programming Group, Chairman of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, and CEO of Gemstar TV Guide International.

The bio adds, "Before Gemstar, he held several positions at News Corporation including President, FOX Cable Networks Group. He also held leadership roles at The Walt Disney Company and Salomon Brothers prior to joining News Corporation."

Shell received his master’s degree in Business Administration from Harvard University and got his bachelor’s in Economics and Applied Mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new information if it becomes available.

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