Questions raised over Ellison family trust as Warner rejects $77.9 billion takeover proposal
In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the media and entertainment sector, Warner has reportedly rejected a hostile takeover bid for Paramount, demanding a personal financial guarantee from Oracle founder Larry Ellison to back the proposed $77.9 billion deal.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Warner expressed serious concerns over the structure of the bid, which is believed to be routed through the Ellison family trust rather than directly guaranteed by Ellison himself. Warner’s board is said to be unconvinced that the trust alone provides sufficient assurance for a transaction of this scale, particularly given the volatile market conditions and mounting pressures on legacy media businesses.
“The issue is not just valuation, but certainty of funding,” a person close to the discussions said. “Warner wants Larry Ellison’s personal guarantee to ensure the deal can be completed without last-minute complications.”
The rejection underscores Warner’s resistance to what it views as an opportunistic and hostile approach. Executives at the company have reportedly questioned the long-term strategic intent behind the bid and whether Ellison’s group is fully committed to sustaining Paramount’s content investments, workforce, and global operations post-acquisition.
The Ellison camp, however, is believed to argue that the family trust has ample financial capacity and that demanding a personal guarantee is both unusual and unnecessary for a transaction of this nature. No official statement has yet been released by Ellison or his representatives.
Industry analysts say the standoff highlights broader consolidation pressures in the media industry, as tech billionaires and private capital look to acquire traditional studios struggling with streaming competition, rising production costs, and declining linear TV revenues.
For now, the future of the proposed takeover remains uncertain. Unless Warner and the Ellison-led consortium can bridge the trust and credibility gap, the $77.9 billion Paramount bid may stall, signaling that even the world’s wealthiest individuals face limits when boards demand absolute financial certainty.