Longtime Skydance executive Jesse Sisgold is stepping down from his post to join company backer RedBird Capital Partners as a senior C-suite advisor, according to memos shared by CEO David Ellison and TV Co-Chair George Cheeks.
The exit comes as part of a sweeping corporate restructuring following the mega-merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. Sisgold, who initially joined Skydance in 2014 as head of strategy and business affairs before rising to president and COO, most recently oversaw the Paramount Sports Entertainment division after the acquisition closed in August 2025.
From Bungalow Beginnings to a Global Studio Empire
Back when Skydance operated as a 14-person boutique shingle out of a bungalow on the Paramount lot, Sisgold stood alongside David Ellison as a core architect of the company’s early business strategy. Over the course of his tenure, he handled critical fundraising rounds that fueled the studio’s expansion, forging strategic ties with international players like Tencent, CJ ENM, and KKR. He also helped establish Skydance Animation Madrid and guided the interactive gaming business.
RedBird Capital, led by CEO Gerry Cardinale who also serves on the Skydance board, has deep financial ties to the studio. RedBird first injected $275 million into Skydance in 2019 and recently tripled its commitment earlier this month, bringing its total investment in the combined Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery giant to $6 billion. In his new role based in Beverly Hills, Sisgold will report directly to Cardinale, advising across RedBird’s broader sports and media portfolio while maintaining collaborative ties with Skydance on ongoing projects.
| Milestone / Event | Year | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Company Entry | 2014 | Jesse Sisgold joins to lead strategy and business affairs, later becoming COO. |
| Initial RedBird Investment | 2019 | RedBird Capital invests $275 million in Skydance. |
| Paramount Integration | 2025 | Skydance acquires Paramount; Sisgold takes over Paramount Sports Entertainment in August. |
Under Sisgold’s recent leadership, the sports unit renewed its partnership with the NFL, secured ten Sports Emmy nominations, and delivered top-tier releases across multiple platforms. With his departure, the largely unscripted roster and sports slate he previously oversaw will transition under the purview of an existing executive team named in George Cheeks’ recent staffing memo.
Executive Realignment Under George Cheeks
The leadership shuffle follows an internal memo issued by George Cheeks, Skydance TV Co-Chair and Chief Content Officer. Cheeks outlined his top ten studio executives, introducing a new corporate framework that establishes Skydance TV Studios as an overarching umbrella.
This newly consolidated division formally houses the Warner Bros. Television Group under Channing Dungey, CBS Studios led by David Stapf, and Paramount Television Studios directed by Matt Thunell. Skydance Sports Entertainment also falls within this restructured command chain.
While Ellison noted in his staff memo that Sisgold is stepping away from his day-to-day operational duties, he emphasized that the departure marks an evolution rather than a clean break. Ellison wrote that Sisgold helped build the company's foundational DNA and will continue advising on strategic opportunities as RedBird deepens its financial footprint in Hollywood's newly consolidated industry.
