A major shareholder of Comcast is pressuring them to back down and settle the racial discrimination case between Byron Allen and Comcast.
What We Know:
- New York City Comptroller, Scott Stringer oversees $208 billion in city pension money and he is urging Comcast to end its racial discrimination dispute with Allen by arguing that a win could cast Comcast as a civil rights opponent, the NY Post reports.
- “There is significant potential for enduring damage to Comcast’s brand and reputation, as well as its relationships with shareholders, customers, suppliers, and federal, state and local governments, if the company’s name becomes synonymous with a court decision that impedes civil rights,” Stringer wrote in a letter to Comcast’s billionaire chairman and CEO, Brian Roberts.
- Allen, a comedian, turned businessman owns the Weather Channel and media company Entertainment Studios, told the NY Post that he would “love” it if Comcast took heed of Stringer’s advice and settled the case. He agrees there will be backlash if Comcast prevails in its case, which is currently being reviewed by the US Supreme Court.
- Allen initially sued Comcast in 2015 saying race was a factor in the cable giant’s refusal to air channels from his Entertainment Studios Network, citing Comcast’s decision to carry white-owned channels with similar-size audiences. Comcast says they rejected Allen’s proposal because of their low viewership and needs to argue that race was not the only factor to win the case.
- In an interview with The Breakfast Club Power 105.1 FM, Byron spoke more on buying The Weather Channel, economic inclusion, and the racial bias lawsuit against Comcast.
Comcast believes that the case will not change or tarnish their stance in believing civil rights are essential in protecting African Americans and other diverse communities.
