On Wednesday, News Corp. named James Murdoch, the 38-year-old son of chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch, as its deputy chief operating officer and international CEO.
Also read: News Corp. Names Rupert Murdoch's Son James Its Deputy COO, International Chief
With James moving from London to New York to "work closely" with his 80-year-old father, as News Corp. explicitly stated in its announcement, it would seem that the questions swirling around the company about who will succeed Rupe if and when the elder Murdoch decides to hand over the keys to his sprawling media throne were close to being answered.
But that's not necessarily true. While it appears James is being groomed to take over for Rupert eventually, Rupe's current deputy — Chase Carey — remains a viable, if not more likely, candidate.
And given unresolved accusations of nepotism by shareholders over News Corp.'s agreement to purchase his daughter Elisabeth's Shine Group — and give her a seat on the board — installing an executive like Carey instead of someone from his bloodline would keep the critics at bay while James continues to build a chief-worthy resume.
This is all speculation, of course. News Corp. would not comment on the implications yesterday's move has on the future of the company.
Nonetheless, here is the short-list of candidates in line to take over for Rupe, followed by News Corp.'s current 17-person board of directors:
2. Chase Carey
Age: 56
Title: Deputy chairman, president and chief operating officer, News Corporation
Pedigree: Rupe's loyal deputy and current #2, Carey returned to News Corp. in 2009 after a two-year stint as director, president and chief executive officer of DirecTV. Before that, he was the director of News Corp. between 2004 and 2007.
Odds to succeed Rupe: Even
3. James Murdoch
Age: 38
Title: Deputy chief operating officer and international CEO, News Corporation
Pedigree: James is considered to be the most loyal of Rupert's offspring, gaining his business experience within News Corp.'s thick walls — and his elevation on Wednesday was, in part, a result of that blood loyalty. Some may argue that James still needs a little seasoning before taking over a $30 billion media conglomerate — but Rupe rewards loyalty and has built his empire by dismissing critics.
Odds to succeed Rupe: Even
4. Liz Murdoch
Age: 42
Title: Chief executive officer, Shine Group
Pedigree: Murdoch founded the London-based Shine television production in 2001, growing it into a $400 million company. But News Corp.'s agreement to acquire Shine for about $675 million — and give Liz a seat on News Corp.'s board — led to a lawsuit from shareholders accusing the Rupe and co. of "nepotism." But the move also puts her ahead of Lachlan Murdoch in the family line of succession.
Odds to succeed Rupe: 15 to 1
5. Lachlan Murdoch
Age: 39
Title: Executive chairman, Illyria
Pedigree: Lachlan, former deputy COO and publisher of the New York Post, was once considered a slam-dunk to be Rupert's heir apparent. But that changed when he left News Corp. in a surprise move in 2005. While he still holds a seat on the News Corp. board, he's very much on the outside looking in when it comes to succession.
Odds to succeed Rupe: 25 to 1
News Corporation
Board of Directors
* Rupert Murdoch
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
News Corporation
* José María Aznar
Former President of Spain
President
FAES – Foundation for Social Studies and Analysis
* Natalie Bancroft
Director
News Corporation
* Peter Barnes
Chairman
Ansell Limited
* Chase Carey
Deputy Chairman
President and Chief Operating Officer
News Corporation
* Kenneth E. Cowley
Chairman
R.M. Williams Holdings Pty. Limited
* David F. DeVoe
Chief Financial Officer
News Corporation
* Viet Dinh
Professor of Law
Georgetown University
* Rod Eddington
Non-Executive Chairman for
Australia and New Zealand
J.P. Morgan
* Joel Klein
Executive Vice President
News Corporation
* Andrew S.B. Knight
Director
Rothschild Investment Trust C.P
* James Murdoch
Deputy Chief Operating Officer
News Corporation
Chairman and CEO, International
News Corporation
* Lachlan Murdoch
Executive Chairman
Illyria Pty Ltd
* Thomas J. Perkins
Partner
Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers
* Arthur M. Siskind
Senior Advisor to the Chairman
News Corporation
* John L. Thornton
Professor and Director of Global Leadership
Tsinghua University of Beijing
* Stanley S. Shuman (Director Emeritus)
Managing Director
Allen & Company LLC