Sprint-ing for Uber
Telco’s Son takes a shine to troubled company
MONEYBAGS Masayoshi Son is seriously considering throwing some of his billions into troubled rideshare company Uber, sources told On the Money.
Son was recently in Sun Valley, Idaho, powwowing with the likes of Warren Buffett and John Malone, who together are tossing around the idea of investing alongside each other, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Bloomberg last week noted conversations between Uber shareholders Benchmark and Son’s SoftBank, and we hear the latter is serious about buying in. The Japanese company already owns Uber rivals in China and Singapore.
Son, who owns the majority of phone company Sprint and a big stake in Alibaba, has a $93 billion venture capital fund called Vision Fund to invest in a host of futuristic companies.
But will he be tempted by some old-line investments like broadcast television, too?
If Malone ends up getting into bed with Spanish-language broadcaster Univision, we hear Sprint may come along for the ride. After all, the telcos have been aligning with content plays, and Malone-backed Charter has had conversations about investing in Sprint.
Notably, Sprint Chief Executive Marcelo Claure is from Bolivia. Claure, who is a pal of Jennifer Lopez, was just elevated to the SoftBank board last month, giving him more clout over future direction.
Court case
A titanic war is brewing between the principals at Guggenheim Partners, with more than 10 senior execs defecting in the past year or so.
The $240 billion money-managing firm has been divided into two camps: Those loyal to Mark Walter, the founder and CEO, and the money managers who report to Chief Investment Officer Scott Minerd, according to a report in the Financial Times.
The issue is the appointment of Alexandra Court to head up distribution late last year.
Court restructured and cut costs in the division of the firm that serves as the liaison between Guggenheim’s money managers and its major investors.
The move has the money guys talking about Court’s close relationship with Walter giving her power over them. Guggenheim told the FT that the relationship was disclosed to thee board and that no “non-business” relationship ex-exists — however, the firm did add that if a relationship did exist, it was properly disclosed to “avoid improper influence or favor.”
Tiger tales es
Forget about YouTube’s catson-skateboards videos. How about tiger cubs on TV for big ratings?
“Slumdog Millionaire” actress Freida Pinto (pictured) is lending her name to a WWF/Discovery Communications effort to preserve wild tigers. She’ll be appearing across the company’s channels to promote Project CAT: Conserving Acres for Tigers, aimedd at raising awareness to preserve the habitat of thee declining wild tiger population.
Animal Planet will host a six-hour block of tiger-themed shows on July 29, and is creating an online Tiger-pedia for people who are interested in the conservation effort (and those folks who just want to watch cute tiger cub videos). Stars behind the effort include Ryan Seacrest, , Kyle McLachlan and graffiti artartist Sonny. Discovery is working with WWF to help double the wild tiger population by 2022, in part by protecting habitats in India and Bhutan.
Tony’s Veal
Financier-turned-politico Anthony Scaramucci probably has one regret about spending more time in the Beltway now that he has been named President Trump’s White House communications director. His favorite meal is the veal parmigiana at his Midtown hangout, Hunt & Fish Club. “Anthony is one of our best customers, aand we love it when he’s here, ”he Nelson Braff, coowneowner of the steakhouse and longtlongtime friend of Scaramuccmucci, told our Carleton English.Engl Scaramucci,Scar known as “The Mooch”Mooch by friends, is said to visit theth restaurant almost daily during his jaunts to NYC and was lastlas seen there last week. The vealv dish is a special menu itemit — but that doesn’t mean he goes hungry when it’s not available.avail The restaurant’s $32 burnt lemon chicken is a close secosecond, Braff said. “I’m veryver happy for Anthony,” Braff said.