Doug Morris, chairman of Universal Music Group, is seeking an early end to his contract from parent Vivendi SA in order to join Sony Music Entertainment, three people with knowledge of the situation said.
Morris, 72, who has led the world’s largest record company since 1995, is in talks with Sony Corp. for the top post at its music division, said the people, who insisted on anonymity because the discussions are private.
Lucian Grainge replaced Morris (pictured right, with P. Diddy) as Universal Music’s chief executive officer on Jan. 1, in a transition that began almost a year ago. Morris, who is under contract to remain chairman, has requested a meeting within two weeks to discuss a potential early exit, one of the people said.
