What Will It Take To Make David Ellison Give up Already?

I have twin four-year-olds who will be five in a little over a month (good Zod). We’re in that phase where negotiations have become the norm. It’s not like that wasn’t the case before. Phrases like, “if you finish your mac and cheese, you can have more broccoli” have definitely been uttered (my kids are weird, but I ain’t mad at it). But now, they’re older and wiser and more intent on getting what they want, even if they have to employ a little sweet talk or, occasionally, bribery.

But there also comes a time when my wife and I make it clear that a no is a no. That’s especially come to the forefront as they’ve developed a taste for video games. They’re little, and while I think a little bit of time firing red shells across Rainbow Road as a family is fun, there has to be a cut-off, no matter how much they plead. They may get cranky or whiny or even shed a few tears, but you have to hold strong and explain to them that even though they aren’t getting what they want, it’s okay.

I don’t think anybody ever did that with David Ellison. The Billionaire’s Boy has been in the news a lot lately because he refuses to take no for an answer. His Daddy bought Paramount for him, then sent him out to acquire Warner Bros. as well. And, despite having the blessing of the current nightmare political administration at his back, he failed. Netflix will be gobbling up WB instead, and this Daddy’s Boy will have to go lick his wounds. But, dammit, he will not give up!

At first, Ellison attempted a hostile takeover of the company, insisting that shareholders accept his higher bid for the company, but they didn’t. Now, Deadline reports that Ellison and Paramount will increase the bid by $0.25 per share for every day the deal doesn’t close beyond 2026. He’s basically so confident that the President he purchased will approve the sale that he’s agreeing to pay more money if it doesn’t happen quickly. Seems like a bunch of corporate nonsense to me!

But, it is also riddled with petulance. You can see that same behavior across the political right. They expected everyone to just roll over to their authoritarian nonsense, but we haven’t, so they’re both throwing fits and acting like it’s still the best option and everyone wants it. With the potential purchase of Warner Bros., I’ve had to cheer for Netflix and Ted Freaking Sarandos of all people. I don’t want to do that, but the Ellison boy has forced my hand!

At this point, I don’t think anything short of the President himself telling him to stop will end Ellison’s current crusade. Even then, he might dig in his heels with the resolve of a soon-to-be-five-year-old who wants to play more Mario Kart. Ideally, he won’t win, but I don’t think that will stop him from trying. Netflix could be bought by Amazon, which is then purchased by BlackRock, and he’ll still be throwing his little billionaire-style tantrum.