15. Private Guys

Jim Dolan
Title: President/CEO, Cablevision
Age: 51

Chuck Dolan
Title: Chairman, Cablevision
Age: 79

Tom Rutledge
Title: COO, Cablevision

Why them? Every year Cablevision gives us plenty to write about. This year was no exception. Rutledge's gutsy plan to offer network DVR kicked off the fireworks. A slew of content providers—including Fox, CNN, Disney and Paramount Pictures—promptly filed suit, claiming the MSO hasn't reached deals with them for such an offering. The courts are now wading through the mess, with the MSO agreeing not to deploy the technology in the meantime. Cablevision also made sure we got our yearly dose of bizarreness, this time in the form of a stock options scandal that included backdating options for a dead guy.  And now Jim and Chuck are looking to ruin our fun by pulling down the curtain on their antics and taking the company private. Of course, it may not happen… We went down this privatization road last year, and the Dolans bowed out after a special shareholders committee deemed their price too low. But things are looking more promising this go-round. Which leaves us pondering, what are we going to write about next year? - AM

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