Rupert Murdoch owes Fox News boss Roger Ailes a whole lot. He’s provided the vision and executive oomph behind one of Murdoch’s greatest successes.
But will Murdoch’s sons give Ailes a new contract?
Inevitably, there is mounting internal Fox speculation amid the convergence of two realities: the expiring contract of Ailes, 75, and the ascension of Murdoch’s sons, James and Lachlan, to new positions of power within the 21st Century Fox executive hierarchy.
And that speculation was only heightened Wednesday as a result of Tuesday’s Fox declaration that Ailes would report to the two sons. Last week the Fox News boss himself indicated that, regardless of the shifts in the executive suites, he’d be reporting to Rupert Murdoch.
His relationship with the two sons is notoriously uneven. In the case of Lachlan, Wednesday brought this juicy anonymous quote:
“‘He has no relationship at best and a bad relationship at worst,’ a longtime Ailes confidant said on condition of anonymity.” (CNN Money)
His current deal is said to be worth “tens of millions” of dollars annually. And, for sure, he’s earned it by the way he’s shepherded the channel over its 19 years.
But as an unnamed “Ailes confidant” told CNN’s Brian Stelter, “It’s about whether he makes the calculation that he wants to stay and work for them.”
