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Moguls Take Feud to Court

Diller, Malone share knack for deal-making—and turn it on each other

By Laila Weir,  Newser User

Posted Feb 4, 2008 1:45 PM CST
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(Newser) – The escalating fight between media barons Barry Diller and John Malone over control of IAC/Interactive Corp. has its origins in the men’s shared talent for wheeling and dealing, the New York Times reports in a portrait of the colorful, headstrong, vastly different moguls. Both have faced accusations of chasing deals that benefit them more than shareholders—a complaint high among those Malone’s Liberty Media has levied against Diller.

In 2005, as IAC was doing poorly, Diller was the highest-paid executive in the US and made $173 million more spinning off Expedia. Built by Diller with Malone’s backing, IAC owns 63 businesses, but its stock has plunged in the last 4 years. One analyst disapproved of its “ceaseless, impatient, opportunistic behavior to buy things.” Diller called the Malone challenge to his leadership "beyond comprehension."

IAC/InterActiveCorp. CEO Barry Diller is interviewed in his office at the company headquarters in New York in this June 27, 2005 file photo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, file)
IAC/InterActiveCorp. CEO Barry Diller is interviewed in his office at the company headquarters in New York in this June 27, 2005 file photo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, file)   (Associated Press)
John C. Malone, chairman of the board of Liberty Media, speaks during a stockholders meeting for the company in this file photograph taken on Wednesday, June 9, 2004, in the south Denver suburb of Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)
John C. Malone, chairman of the board of Liberty Media, speaks during a stockholders meeting for the company in this file photograph taken on Wednesday, June 9, 2004, in the south Denver suburb of Centennial,...   (Associated Press)
Barry Diller, Chariman and CEO of USA Interactive, delivers a keynote address to the National Association of Broadcasters convention, Monday, April 7, 2003, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)
Barry Diller, Chariman and CEO of USA Interactive, delivers a keynote address to the National Association of Broadcasters convention, Monday, April 7, 2003, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)   (Associated Press)
Barry Diller is seen in New York in this Sept. 8, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, file)
Barry Diller is seen in New York in this Sept. 8, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, file)   (Associated Press)
Diller and Malone face off in an increasingly public feud.
Diller and Malone face off in an increasingly public feud.   (Associated Press; Composite)
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