Liberty Media Chairman John Malone To Step Down, Assume Chairman Emeritus Role

• Liberty Media said that following Malone’s resignation, the board will be composed of eight directors effective January 1, 2026.
• The company said that Vice Chairman Robert R. Bennett will assume the role of Chairman of the Board.
• Bennett has also served as Liberty Media’s President and Chief Executive Officer from 1997 to 2005.

Liberty Media Corporation (FWONA) announced on Wednesday that long-standing Chairman of the Board, John C. Malone, will step down from the board of directors and transition to the role of Chairman Emeritus of Liberty Media, effective January 1.

The company said that Vice Chairman Robert R. Bennett will assume the role of Chairman of the Board. Shares of the company jumped nearly 4% in afternoon trading.

Retail sentiment on FWONA remained unchanged in the ‘neutral’ territory, with message volumes at ‘normal’ levels, according to data from Stocktwits.

Chairman Emeritus’ View

Malone said he was looking forward to remaining actively engaged as a large shareholder of Liberty and a strategic advisor to the management and board.

“With the successful simplification of our portfolio in recent years and our operating businesses in positions of strength, I believe it is an appropriate time to step back from certain of my obligations, and I am very pleased to have Dob Bennett, my partner and colleague of 35 years, stepping into the Chairman role,” said Malone.

The New Chairman

The company said that Bennett has been Vice Chairman of the board since January 1, 2025, a director of Liberty Media since 1994, and a member of its Executive Committee for over 15 years.

Bennett has also served as Liberty Media’s President and CEO from 1997 to 2005. Prior to that,  he held other executive roles since joining Liberty Media as one of its founding executives in 1991.

Liberty Media noted that following Malone’s resignation, the board will be composed of eight directors effective January 1, 2026, five of whom will be independent.

FWONA stock has gained nearly 8% this year and has jumped over 21% in the last 12 months.

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