Vice Motherboard: T-Mobile’s John Leguere was Never a ‘Cool CEO’

T-Mobile’s trash-talking CEO John Legere will be stepping down in April, a decision industry watchers say could harm the company’s controversial $26 billion merger with Sprint.

Under Legere’s leadership, T-Mobile branded itself as a consumer-friendly “uncarrier” alternative to the bigger, more traditional players. And initially, the company’s efforts had a very clear and positive impact on the U.S. wireless sector, including the elimination of expensive roaming costs, long-term contracts and at least some of the sector’s sneaky fees.

But T-Mobile’s reputation as a consumer ally under Legere was always a bit skin deep.

Under Legere, T-Mobile has been a notorious union buster, creating illegal fake unions in the hopes that employees wouldn’t join a real one. The company also supported the repeal of net neutrality and broadband privacy rules, attacked groups like the EFF, and cozied up to the Trump administration to gain approval for its unpopular, competition eroding merger with Sprint.

Former FCC lawyer Gigi Sohn told Motherboard Legere may just be leaving while he’s on top. But she also said his absence undermines past promises that he’d help ensure the merged company continues to be disruptive post merger.

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