MGM Adds NBCUniversal Chairman Langley to Board

Posted on: March 12, 2025, 04:21h. 

Last updated on: March 12, 2025, 04:21h.

Todd Shriber @etfgodfather Read More
Expertise: Financial, Gaming Business, Mergers and Acquisitions.
  • Langley has full oversight of NBCUniversal entertainment offerings
  • She becomes the 13th board member at the gaming company

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) said today it appointed Dame Donna Langley to its board of directors, making her the 13th member of the director slate.

Langley
NBCUniversal Chairman Dame Donna Langley. She’s joining MGM’s board of directors. (Image: Comcast)

She’s the chairman of of NBCUniversal Entertainment & Studios and has “full oversight” of the entertainment programming and marketing efforts across networks including Bravo and NBC as well as the Peacock streaming platform.

Donna will be a tremendous asset to the board and to the Company as it continues pursuing its vision to be the world’s premiere gaming entertainment company,” said MGM Chairman Paul Salem in a statement. “Her entertainment background and experience, especially in areas like content strategy, programming, distribution and marketing, will be invaluable as she offers her guidance to the Company and its leaders.”

Langley becomes the fourth woman on the MGM  board, joining Alexis Herman, Mary Chris Jammet, and Rose McKinney James. With the addition of the NBCUniversal executive, MGM extends its status as having one of the highest percentages of female board members in the casino gaming industry.

Langley Adds to Entertainment Flair of MGM Board

Langley becomes the second MGM director steeped in entertainment and media experience, joining IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ: IAC) Chairman Barry Diller in checking that box.

Diller, whose IAC is the largest shareholder in MGM, is widely viewed as a media mogul. He was vice president of primetime television for ABC Entertainment before becoming Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures Corporation. From October 1984 to April 1992, he held those titles at Fox and oversaw the creation of the Fox Broadcasting Corp. Since late 1992, he’s held the top spot at on TV shopping network QVC and its predecessor entities.

The combined entertainment experience of Diller and Langley could be beneficial to MGM as the casino operator looks to broaden its appeal to younger demographics and expand its internet footprint.

“Donna is globally recognized as an innovative and influential leader with a special skill for reshaping industries, invigorating brands and leading organizations through change. She will be a tremendous asset to our executive team at MGM Resorts,” said MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle in the statement.

Langley Film Successes

Joining the MGM board is the first direct gaming exposure for Langley, 57, but she’s the architect of some of the most venerable film franchises in recent memory. During her time at the helm of NBCUniversal, the movie studio has turned out profit-generating smash hits, including the Despicable Me and Fast & Furious films as well as the Jason Bourne movies.

She’s also believed to be the executive that lured director Christopher Nolan away from Warner Bros. That moved paid dividends because in 2023, Nolan turned out the critically acclaimed hit Oppenheimer for NBCUniversal.