Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts responded to speculation that his company's top attorney, David L. Cohen, might end up as the fall guy for a failed merger attempt with Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC).
In a statement obtained by Philadelphia Magazine, Roberts said, "There is nobody better than David Cohen. He's incredible at what he does, and we are beyond lucky that he helps passionately lead so many areas at Comcast. He is also a huge supporter of Philadelphia and has done so much for the community. I'm extremely proud to have him on our team."
In Comcast's most recent proxy statement to the Securities Exchange Commission, filed April 10, the MSO revealed that the legal and regulatory affairs chief's contract expires at the end of 2015.
Cohen was the most visible face, both publicly and with federal regulators, as Comcast sought approval for a controversial $45.2 billion merger with TWC.
The failure to gain this approval from the FCC and U.S. Justice Department led media outlets, most notably the New York Post, to speculate on Cohen's future.
"They just lost a big battle. Does the company need a new general to supervise the Washington political strategy?" an anonymous source asked the Post.
For more:
- read this Philadelphia Magazine story
Related links:
Comcast's DC 'general,' Cohen, could take fall for failed merger attempt
Comcast kills $45.2B Time Warner Cable takeover
Closing rhetoric kicks into overdrive as Comcast-TWC commenting period ends