CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker appeared on David Axelrod‘s popular podcast The Axe Files, and told the former Obama-adviser-turned-CNN analyst that he’s still very interested in politics; and not exclusively from a programming perspective.
The two men chatted for more than an hour about everything from Zucker’s passion for tennis as a kid (he said he was really good, but had a bad temper on the court), getting Conan O’Brien arrested while the two were at Harvard, to his departure from NBC, to battles with colon cancer and a number of other illnesses, his relationship with Pres. Trump, and CNN’s place in the ever-evolving media ecosystem.
One of the most newsy parts of their conversation actually took place at the end. Axelrod asked CNN’s chief executive (and his boss…which Axelrod admitted at the outset), where he thought he’d be in five years. Zucker said he wasn’t sure yet, but he did bring up his beloved Miami Dolphins (he’s a native Floridian and rabid sports fan), making a not-so-subtle pitch to become their next chief executive: “If the Miami Dolphins call, that’s where I’ll be.”
Zucker then admitted to Axelrod that he’s still very interested in politics.
“You turned down an opportunity to work for Al Gore in 2000,” said Axelrod. “You have talked in the past about potentially running for office – ”
Zucker then cut him off, saying, “So I’m still interested in that. It’s something that I would consider.”
“Interesting. Well, give me a call if you’re thinking about it,” Axelrod responded.
“You know somebody who can help? You can put me in touch with the right people?,” Zucker quipped.
“I can, I can,” said Axelrod, before concluding the interview.