Redstone

But Shari Redstone, controlling shareholder of Paramount Global, and the Skydance partners want to clear the legal obstacle to close their deal, even if it means a settlement.

Former CBS News president Susan Zirinsky was enlisted last fall to oversee standards at the news division after Redstone became irritated over some of the network’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas war, including a “60 Minutes” piece that criticized former President Biden’s handling of the conflict.

While the Skydance purchase is pending, Ellison’s investor group — including his billionaire father, Larry — has come to the financial aid of Paramount’s controlling shareholders, Shari Redstone and her family.

Investors have flocked to Delaware court, raising questions about the Skydance transaction and its cushy terms for the Redstone family, which holds 77% of the controlling shares in Paramount through its investment vehicle National Amusements Inc.

This month, they questioned the Ellisons’ loan and future jet payments on behalf of Redstone, calling them “not typical deal terms.”