Hefner, Leading the Private Playboy, Has Salary Set at $1M

HOLMBY HILLS, Calif. — In a sea of filings with the Security Exchange Commission, founder Hugh Hefner and his team have outlined Playboy's transition to a private company.

Hefner, according to one of the numerous filings, will agree to an annual base salary of $1 million and entitled to his permanent residence at the Playboy Mansion. Hefner's salary in 2009, the last year recorded, also was $1 million.

The filings with regulators include all kinds of information on the company in presentations to board members on company divisions, including pay per view, and investor institutions.

The filings also include letters to shareholders and the formal offer to purchase statements.

Hefner’s plan remains a good one for the Playboy founder, who has been its chief creative officer ever since its beginning in 1953. Hefner is 84.

“If Mr. Hefner’s employment is terminated for cause or Mr. Hefner resigns for good reason, then during the remainder of his life, he may continue to reside in the Playboy Mansion ...," Playboy said in the regulatory statement.

The new agreement also spells out terms of using the Playboy name past his life.

"Following Mr. Hefner’s death or any time at which he no longer owns any equity in purchaser, the surviving corporation may continue using the licensed property in connection with then-existing uses that were previously approved by Mr. Hefner for an annual license fee of $250,000 payable to a charitable foundation or other nonprofit designated by Mr. Hefner or his estate," Playboy said in the filing.

"The surviving corporation also receives a right of first negotiation/offer if Mr. Hefner ever elects to sell, assign or transfer the licensed property to a third party."

Playboy also said that CEO Scott Flanders will receive an annual base salary of $900,000, with an annual increase of $25,000 commencing in March, and an annual bonus opportunity of up to 100 percent of his base salary.

Hefner, who controls Icon Acquisition Holdings, plans on taking Playboy private along with investment firm Rizvi Traverse Management LLC, which was first approached by Playboy to go private in December 2009.

Previous to today's tender offer, Hefner owned about 70 percent of Playboy's Class A common stock and 28 percent of its nonvoting Class B stock.

The transaction values the company at about $207 million, topping Hefner's offer of $5.50 per share in July, though just shy of an offer made by FriendFinder Networks that's valued at $210 million.

Playboy's board of directors revealed in the filing Monday night it had turned down a higher price offer from FriendFinder , indicating the bid's value was less than that of Hefner's all-cash proposal.

Monday night’s SEC filings relative to Playboy can be viewed on its website here.

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Goddess Lilith Launches New Official Website Through PAYSITE

Goddess Lilith has rolled out her new official site, QueenGoddessLilith, through PAYSITE.

Penthouse Names Madiiitay as October's 'Pet of the Month'

Penthouse Magazine has named Seattle content creator and professional modeling newcomer Madiiitay as Pet of the Month for October.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Reclaiming Intimacy' Support Group

Pineapple Support is hosting a free online support group for performers with trauma-impacted intimacy issues.

Wendy Marvell, Shadow Dimitri Make Their Immoral Debuts

Wendy Marvell and newly crowned XMA Europe Male Performer of the Year Shadow Dimitri have made their debuts for Immoral Productions alongside Marvell's husband Matt Bird, Irish Bull, John Price, and studio honcho "Porno Dan" Leal.

Ofcom Cites Web Prime, Porntrex for Alleged AV Violations

U.K. media regulator Ofcom on Tuesday notified two operators of adult websites of the agency’s provisional determination that the companies have failed to comply with provisions of the Online Safety Act.

Mick Blue Tops TT5 Podium at NASA Championships

Mick Blue took first place this past weekend in the national Time Trial 5 (TT5) race at the 2026 NASA Championships at Sebring International Raceway.

FSC: Utah Excise Tax on Adult Content Goes Into Effect October 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has issued an advisory that the Utah Excise Tax goes into effect tomorrow.

Alison Rey Makes Her Studio Anal Debut

Alison Rey has performed her first anal alongside Small Hands in the latest release from Adult Time, directed by Casey Calvert.

Rachael Cavalli Leads Latest From Bellesa Plus

Rachael Cavalli stars alongside August Skye and multi-XMAs winner Vince Karter in the latest release from Bellesa Plus, titled “Double-Booked.”

Show More