Tennessee Courts Paramount for a Headquarters Relocation Amid California Lawsuit

On July 2, Tennessee Deputy Governor Stuart McWhorter sent a letter to David Ellison, CEO of Paramount, urging the studio to move its corporate headquarters to the state. The appeal highlights Tennessee’s “low taxes, predictable governance” and a pledge that the government will act as a partner in private-sector growth. McWhorter added that the state would “share our vision for how Tennessee could help shape the future of Paramount Skydance and its talented team.”

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A coalition of twelve state attorneys general, led by California, filed a lawsuit on Monday to block Paramount’s $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery of the lawsuit coincided with reports that Ellison’s advisers were urging him to leave California and shift production spending elsewhere. Paramount’s offer to produce 30 films per year with a 45-day theatrical window was rejected by the California-led coalition.

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Ellison has lived intermittently in Tennessee for 11 years (2014-2025) and sold his Nashville home after the Skydance bid closed. His father’s company, Oracle, plans a large campus in Nashville, and co-CEO Clay Magouyrk also resides in the state. Paramount previously maintained a sizable Knoxville office complex from the 2017 Scripps Network acquisition, which was sold in 2023.

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A Paramount spokesperson confirmed the authenticity of McWhorter’s letter but declined further comment. The studio’s recent relocation from New York and its $30 billion production budget make any potential move to Tennessee a significant shift for both the company and the broader film industry.

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• “Our success is rooted in fiscal discipline, low taxes, predictable governance, and a steadfast belief that government should be a partner in private-sector growth,” — Stuart McWhorter, Tennessee Deputy Governor

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• “Companies that choose Tennessee find more than a favorable business climate — they find a state committed to helping them succeed.” — Stuart McWhorter

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• “As Paramount Skydance writes its next chapter, Tennessee offers a compelling proposition: a state where creativity and technology converge, where talent is developed intentionally, and where innovation is embraced,” — Stuart McWhorter

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• “We would welcome the opportunity to share our vision for how Tennessee could help shape the future of Paramount Skydance and its talented team.” — Stuart McWhorter

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