Rashida Jones to be named MSNBC president, first Black executive to run major news network: reports

Rashida Jones is expected to be named MSNBC’s president and the first Black executive to run a major news network, several news outlets reported Monday

The Wall Street Journal and Variety reported that Jones, currently the senior vice president of MSNBC, will take over for the longtime President Phil Griffin starting in February. The Journal first reported Jones’s expected promotion. 

Griffin, who has been president of MSNBC since 2008, is expected to leave his position at the end of January, according to the reports. 

MSNBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Wrap published a memo from NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde announcing Griffin’s planned departure from MSNBC next year and Jones’s new role.

“Rashida knows and understands MSNBC, in part because it’s where she started when she first joined NBCU seven years ago,” Conde wrote in the memo. “She knows that it is the people who work here that make it great, and she understands its culture. She also appreciates the impact and potential of the brand.”

Griffin started on “Today” 35 years ago and was with MSNBC for 25 years, since it was founded, Conde noted.

“After the presidential election, Phil and I spoke about his desire to depart at a time of his choosing and when he felt confident about the strength of the network he loves,” Conde wrote. 

–Updated on Dec. 8 at 10:48 a.m.