Byron Allen: What to know about the media mogul, from comedian to possible NFL team owner

Allen Media Group's $28.5 million agreement to purchase the Fox affiliate WCOV-TV in Montgomery and its sister channels in Montgomery and Troy won regulatory approval by the FCC Wednesday. The deal includes Troy Cozi TV affiliate WIYC, Montgomery's WALE and the multiplexed digital signals for all three stations.

But who is Byron Allen, the man behind the media empire? 

Allen founded his broadcast business in 1993 and now owns 36 stations in 21 markets, as well as 12 other 24-hour HD networks including The Weather Channel, and free streaming networks like theGrio and Sports.TV. His company has been on a buying spree lately, investing more than $1 billion over the past two years to purchase network affiliates across the nation.

Here's a look at the businessman, former comedian and talk show host. 

He got his start as a comedian, host on NBC's 'Real People'

Allen who was a household name in entertainment and comedy throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, having launched into stardom at 17 as the youngest comedian to ever appear on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show.

He hosted "Real People"— the predecessor to today's reality TV shows — where he'd interview everyday people from 1979 to 1984. 

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He's built a business empire

Allen is the founder, CEO and sole shareholder of Entertainment Studios based in Los Angeles. What many people don't know about him is that the company he founded prior to Entertainment Studios was forced into involuntary bankruptcy.

In 2018, The Weather Channel found a new home at Entertainment Studios. The purchase price for The Weather Channel and Local Now was reportedly $300 million, according to Bloomberg. "The acquisition of The Weather Channel is strategic, as we begin our process of investing billions of dollars over the next five years to acquire some of the best media assets around the world," Allen said at the time of the deal.

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He filed a lawsuit against McDonald's

A $10 billion lawsuit, filed in May 2021 accuses McDonald's of engaging in racial discrimination by refusing to advertise on the networks of Entertainment Studios and Weather Group, which are owned by Black media entrepreneur Allen and includes networks such as the Weather Channel.

The complaint notes that Allen personally took the question of McDonald's ad practices up with its chief marketing officer — to no avail.

"This is about economic inclusion of African American-owned businesses in the U.S. economy," Allen said in a statement that accompanied the lawsuit. "McDonald's takes billions from African American consumers and gives almost nothing back. The biggest trade deficit in America is the trade deficit between White corporate America and Black America, and McDonald's is guilty of perpetuating this disparity. The economic exclusion must stop immediately." 

He could be the next Denver Broncos owner

NFL team Denver Broncos are going up for sale and billionaires lining up to bid, including Allen, who has backing from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. The deal would make him the NFL's first Black team owner.

“I strongly believe I can help effectuate positive changes throughout the league,” Allen said in February. “And for that reason, I will be making a bid for the Denver Broncos.

The Broncos hope to complete a sale before the 2022 NFL season.