Haim Saban
Haim Saban | |
---|---|
חיים סבן | |
Born | |
Nationality | Israeli, American |
Education | Diploma, High School |
Occupation(s) | Businessman, investor; record, film and television producer |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Cheryl Flor (m. 1987) |
Children | 4 |
Website | saban |
Notes | |
Haim Saban (
Biography
Haim Saban was born in
Saban is married to
Music career
Saban started his music career in 1966 as a
After moving in 1983 to the United States,).
In 1998, The Hollywood Reporter reported that he did not actually compose all the music (totalling 3,700 works in 2008) he is credited for; ten composers threatened to sue and Saban settled out of court.[12]
Business career
Saban Entertainment
He then became a television producer, founding
Fox Family
In 1996,
With the growing shift in children's television from over-the-air
On July 23, 2001, Saban announced that he and
ProSiebenSat.1
In August 2003, Saban led a consortium, which acquired a controlling stake in the straggling ProSiebenSat.1 Media group from the Kirch Media Group, the then-bankrupt German media conglomerate.[20]
ProSiebenSat.1, is Germany's largest commercial television broadcasting company, which owns five German TV channels, including
Saban oversaw a successful business turnaround of ProSiebenSat.1, recruiting former business rivals, ex-
In March 2007, Saban Capital Group and the consortium sold its controlling interest in ProSiebenSat.1 to KKR and Permira, for 22.40 euros a share after originally paying 7.5 euros per share in 2003.[22]
Univision
On June 27, 2006,
Saban Music Group
In 2019, Saban announced that he had formed the Saban Music Group backed by $500 million of his own capital. The company will focus on global artists, particular Latin American, tapping new artists and acquiring existing businesses.[27]
Views and opinions
Saban, a long-time supporter and donor of many pro-Jewish and Israel causes, has stated his main goal in multiple interviews: "I'm a one-issue guy, and my issue is Israel."[28][6]
Saban became involved in politics in the mid-1990s when he felt that support for Israel was slipping in the United States.[8] He says his views have shifted over the years:[1]
I used to be a real leftist. I remember
[Yassir] Arafat would not sign. I told myself that there was nothing to be done—these right-wingers were simply insane. I had no doubt that there would be a deal and the problems would be resolved. History proved that Sharon was right and I was wrong. In matters relating to security, that moved me to the right. Very far to the right…When there is a terrorist attack, I am [Avigdor] Lieberman. Sometimes to the right of Lieberman. For two days I really love Lieberman. But afterward I come back to reality. Look, I don't see a solution today.[1]
Saban has been a consistent donor to the United States Democratic Party according to his mandatory Federal Election Commission filings. Mother Jones, in an analysis of the major donors to the campaigns of 1998 election cycle, ranked Saban 155th among individual donors.[29] Amy Paris noted that Saban's Clinton-era "generosity did not go unrewarded. During the Clinton administration, the entertainment executive served on the President's Export Council, advising the White House on trade issues."[29] The New York Times reported that Haim and his wife "slept in the White House several times during President Clinton's two terms." Saban remains close friends with the former president. Clinton described Saban as a "very good friend and supporter."[8] Saban contributed between $5 million to $10 million to the William J. Clinton Foundation.[30]
During the 2000 presidential election, Saban increased his rank to 5th among individual donors with a combined contribution of $1,250,500.[29] Matthew Yglesias wrote that "Saban was the largest overall contributor to the Democratic National Committee during the 2001–2002 cycle."[31] Saban's donations during that 2001–2002 period exceeded $10 million, the largest donation the DNC has received from a single source up to that time.[citation needed]
In September 2004, Hillary Clinton described Saban as a very good friend, supporter and adviser: "I am grateful for his commitment to Israel, to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East and to my foundation's work, particularly on reconciliation issues."
In March 2008, Saban was among a group of major Jewish donors to sign a letter to Democratic Party house leader Nancy Pelosi advising her not to run in the Democratic presidential primaries.[33] The donors were upset by Pelosi's statement that the party 'superdelegates' should heed the will of the majority in selecting a candidate."[33] The donors, who were strong supporters of the DCCC, implied that Pelosi could lose their financial support in upcoming congressional elections.
In May 2008, it was reported that Haim Saban had offered $1 million to the Young Democrats of America and urged the endorsement of Hillary Clinton as the Democratic nominee for president."[34]
Saban has also made donations to members of the Republican Party including a 2003 contribution to George W. Bush's 2004 re-election campaign.[8]
Saban supported Hillary Clinton for President of the United States in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Between June 2015 and June 2016, he and his wife donated US$7 million to Priorities USA, a pro-Clinton Super PAC. Meanwhile, Saban has called Republican candidate Donald Trump "a danger to America".[35]
Saban has said that Keith Ellison, who ran for the leadership of the DNC, "is clearly an anti-Semite and anti-Israel individual."[36][37][38] Saban also called Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) "an anti-Israel person."[39]
In 2006, Saban discussed his views on the Middle East and Persian Gulf region in an interview with Haaretz. Commenting on Iran, he said: "When I see Ahmadinejad, I see Hitler. They speak the same language. His motivation is also clear: the return of the Mahdi is a supreme goal. And for a religious person of deep self-persuasion, that supreme goal is worth the liquidation of five and a half million Jews. We cannot allow ourselves that. Nuclear weapons in the hands of a religious leadership that is convinced that the annihilation of Israel will bring about the emergence of a new Muslim caliphate? Israel cannot allow that. This is no game. It's truly an existential danger."[40] If Obama strikes a "bad deal" with Iran that would put Israel at risk, "I would bomb the living daylights out of these sons of bitches," Saban said at a meeting of the Israeli American Council.[41]
In 2005, Saban spent $100,000
In 2020, Saban collaborated with UAE Ambassador to the United States, Yousef Al Otaiba, on a June 12 op-ed addressed to the Israeli public in an effort to halt Israel's planned annexation of parts of the West Bank and create a unified front between the UAE and Israel against the opposing forces of Iran.[45][46][47] Al Otaiba credited Saban with advising him where his op-ed should be placed, when it should be placed and that it needed to be translated in Hebrew.[47] The efforts were purported to have helped pave the way to the August 2020 signing of the Abraham Accords, brokered by United States President, Donald Trump, and normalizing ties between Israel and UAE.[47]
Philanthropy
Saban Center for Middle East Policy
In 2002 Saban provided an initial grant of
In 2007, Saban donated $14 million to complete the children's hospital at Soroka Medical Center.[49]
Saban National Political Leadership Training Seminar
Saban sponsors the
References
- ^ a b c d e f Shavit, Ari (September 12, 2006). ""You" made it big, you jerk!'". Israel: Haaretz. Archived from the original on May 28, 2008. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ "Haim Saban, Power Ranger". Retrieved August 17, 2016.
- ^ a b "Haim Saban". Forbes. Retrieved May 31, 2014
- ^ "Haim Saban". Forbes. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
- ^ Tierney McAfee (March 23, 2017). "Huma Abedin and David Foster Walk the Red Carpet at Event Celebrating Close Friend Haim Saban". People. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
- ^ a b "The Influencer". The New Yorker. May 3, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
- ^ "המיליארדר שהיה פועל זבל והחליט שהילרי קלינטון תהיה נשיאת ארה"ב". TheMarker.
- ^ a b c d e Sorkin, Andrew (September 5, 2004). "Schlepping to Moguldom". The New York Times. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ a b c d Ackman, Dan (March 17, 2003). "Mighty Morphin Haim Saban". Forbes. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ Kutner, Yoav, "The Lions Biography", Mooma, retrieved November 3, 2009
- ^ a b "Haim Saban". Saban. Archived from the original on March 2, 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
- ^ Wallace, Amy (August 13, 2008). "Profile of Fundraiser Haim Saban - Executives - Portfolio.com". Portfolio. Archived from the original on November 12, 2010. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
According to Saban, 10 composers threatened to sue him for $1 million each. "Yeah," he tells me, "and we settled for $10,000 a pop. They knew they had zero case. They were totally wrong."
- ^ "Haim Saban". Saban. Archived from the original on March 2, 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
- ^ "Fox Family Worldwide Inc". Saban. Archived from the original on April 21, 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
- ^ Schneider, Michael; Grego, Melissa (September 9, 2001). "Fox Kids net adopted by Fox TV Ent". Variety. Retrieved August 13, 2009.
- ^ Hillier, Barry (November 1, 1996). "Fox Kids Worldwide is born". Kidscreen. Retrieved November 21, 2010.
- ^ "Deltec International Group". Isola Capital. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
- ^ Connie Bruck (May 10, 2010). "The Influencer". The New Yorker.
- ^ "News Corp. and Haim Saban Reach Agreement to Sell Fox Family Worldwide to Disney for $5.3 Billion". Saban. July 23, 2001. Archived from the original on April 21, 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
- ^ "Saban's Bid for German Broadcaster Is Accepted". Los Angeles Times. August 6, 2003.
- ^ Timms, Dominic (May 10, 2004). "Saban brings Dyke and Ball on board". The Guardian.
- ^ O'brien, Kevin J (December 15, 2006). "2 Equity Firms Paying $7.6 Billion for Largest German TV Broadcaster". The New York Times.
- ^ a b Mehta, Stephanie (May 14, 2007). "The man with the golden gut". Fortune. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ "Univision to Be Acquired by Madison Dearborn Partners, Providence Equity Partners, Texas Pacific Group, Thomas H. Lee Partners and Saban Capital Group for $13.7 Billion". Saban. July 23, 2001. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
- ^ "Univision sells majority stake to private equity firm". February 25, 2020.
- ^ "After Years On The Block, Univision Agrees To Sell A Majority Stake". Forbes.
- ^ "Haim Saban returning to his roots in music with new company", Haaretz
- ^ "Schlepping to Moguldom". The New York Times. September 5, 2004. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
- ^ a b c Paris, Amy (March 5, 2001). "The Mother Jones 400: Haim Saban (with Cheryl)". Mother Jones. Archived from the original on January 13, 2008. Retrieved February 27, 2009.
- ^ "Clinton Foundation Donors - The New York Times". Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
- ^ Yglesias, Matthew (June 10, 2007). "Haim Saban". The Atlantic. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ a b Daunt, Tina (July 7, 2007). "CAUSE CELEBRE: Was it just one of those things? A brief fling with the Obama camp appears to be fading as Sen. Clinton's Hollywood support solidifies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ a b "Jewish Clinton backers warn Pelosi on meddling". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. March 28, 2008. Archived from the original on March 31, 2008. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ Pitney, Nico (May 19, 2008). "Superdelegates Turned Down $1 Million Offer From Clinton Donor". Huffington Post. Retrieved May 19, 2008.
- ^ Berrin, Danielle (June 1, 2016). "Haim Saban's confidence in Hillary Clinton". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
- ^ Scott, Eugene (December 3, 2016). "Haim Saban: Keith Ellison 'is clearly an anti-Semite and anti-Israel individual'". CNN. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
- ^ Maddaus, Gene (December 2, 2016). "Haim Saban Blasts DNC Chair Hopeful Keith Ellison as an 'Anti-Semite'". Variety. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
- ^ Rossi, Rosemary (December 2, 2016). "Haim Saban Calls DNC Chair Hopeful Keith Ellison 'Anti-Semitic'". Houston Chronicle. The Wrap. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
- ^ Haim Saban's confidence in Hillary Clinton, BY Danielle Berrin, Jewish Journal, Jun 1, 2016.
- ^ "Haim Saban" The Atlantic, June 10, 2007.
- ^ "Haim Saban slams Obama's Iran policy, advises bombing in worst case | Jewish Telegraphic Agency". www.jta.org. November 9, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- ^ "California Secretary of State - CalAccess - Campaign Finance". cal-access.sos.ca.gov. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
- ^ "California Secretary of State - CalAccess - Campaign Finance". Retrieved August 17, 2016.
- ^ "California Secretary of State - CalAccess - Campaign Finance". Retrieved August 17, 2016.
- ^ Nissenbaum, Dion (October 19, 2020). "A Secret U.S. Rescue in Yemen Played a Role in Mideast Peace Deal". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
- ^ AHREN, Raphael (June 12, 2020). "In first-ever op-ed for Israeli paper, UAE diplomat warns against annexation". The Times of Israel. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
- ^ a b c Zieve Cohen, Sam (September 30, 2020). "UAE's Al Otaiba goes behind the scenes of the Abraham Accords". The Jewish Insider. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
- ^ Saban Center for Middle East Policy. Archived from the originalon March 8, 2008. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ "Saban gives $14m. to Soroka hospital". Retrieved August 17, 2016.
- ^ Peace Now Archived October 25, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b AIPAC
Further reading
- Sorkin, Andrew. "Schlepping to Moguldom." The New York Times. September 5, 2004.
- Shavit, Ari. "You made it big, you jerk!." Haaretz. September 12, 2006.
- Wallace, Amy "Haim Saban, Power Ranger." Portfolio Magazine. August 13, 2008.
- Daunt, Tina "Haim Saban, friend to Israel and Democrats." Los Angeles Times. April 22, 2009.
- Bruck, Connie "The Influencer: An entertainment mogul sets his sights on foreign policy." The New Yorker. May 10, 2010.
External links
- Haim Saban at Saban Capital Group
- Haim Saban at IMDb