• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

Disney Just Surprised Everyone and Made Bob Iger CEO Again

  • Disney has replaced CEO Bob Chapek with Bob Iger, who was Disney CEO from 2005 to 2020.
  • Iger will face key sports rights decisions, including on the NFL and NBA.
Head shot of Disney CEO Bob Iger
MasterClass

Guess who’s back, back again? Iger’s back. Tell a friend.

That’s right, Bob Iger is back in charge of Disney now, a Sunday night revelation that seemingly came out of nowhere, though it follows a disappointing earnings report less than two weeks ago.

Disney’s board of directors confirmed in a statement that Iger, who was CEO from 2005 to 2020, is getting his Tom Brady on “with a mandate from the Board to set the strategic direction for renewed growth.”

The unretired Iger will face key decisions, including how aggressively to pursue NFL Sunday Ticket and upcoming rights negotiations with the NBA.

Bob Chapek, who replaced Iger in February 2020, has stepped down.

  • Iger led the transition toward direct-to-consumer streaming services ESPN+ and Disney+ amid falling cable subscriber numbers.
  • ESPN landed the exclusive rights to stream UFC — including pay-per-view events — just months after ESPN+ launched in 2018.
  • With 24.3 million subscribers as of Oct. 1, ESPN+ has become a bright spot for Disney as theme parks and other media properties lag.

Disney’s stock tumbled 41.4% from the start of the year to market close on Friday.

The ESPN Question

Iger resisted spinning off ESPN in the latter years of his prior run as CEO. Chapek talked up the value of live sports, although Puck reported he spoke with some other Disney execs about selling off ESPN.

Activist investor Dan Loeb, CEO of Third Point Capital, pushed for Disney to spin off ESPN, but softened his stance in September, shortly after Chapek said he had big plans for the network.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 15, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts to the crowd as they take on the Connecticut Sun in the first quarter at TD Garden.

WNBA Viewership Up Across All Networks Compared to 2024

Non-Fever games are up 37% compared to the full 2024 season.

Shannon Sharpe Out at ESPN Following Rape Suit Settlement

He’s been off-air since April, planning to return for the NFL season.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) celebrates winning Sunday, July 27, 2025, the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Amazon, TNT Post Near-Identical NASCAR Ratings in Debut Season

The cable channel is a new media-rights partner this season.
Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Kia Nurse (11) drives to the basket against Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) during the second half at United Center.

Fever-Sky Draws 1.5M Viewers Despite Clark, Reese Absences

Clark and Reese both missed the game due to injury.

Featured Today

Las Vegas sign

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
Limited Hype
July 27, 2025

Sneaker Reselling Was Once Easy Money. Success Is Now Complicated

Vendors need to evolve what they’re selling and how they do it.
HAPPY GILMORE 2. BTS - (L to R) Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore and Rory McIlroy as himself on the set of Happy Gilmore2.
July 26, 2025

‘Cool As Hell’: How ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Hooked Golf’s Top Stars

The process was “cool as hell,” Adam Sandler tells FOS.

WBD Restructuring Shows What’s Old Is New Again

WBD will become Warner Bros. and Discovery Global as two separate entities.
Dec 7, 2024; New York, New York, USA; A general view of Times Square during the MLS Cup Times Square Watch Party prior to the game between the LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls.
July 24, 2025

MLS Reveals Apple TV Streaming Numbers, Raising Questions

The league gives a rare glimpse inside the high-profile streaming pact.
July 24, 2025

CBS Sports to Get New Owner As Skydance Merger Clears FCC Hurdle

The long-awaited, but highly debated, merger gains regulatory approval.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
A Peacock sideline reporter holds a microphone with the NBC Peacock logo during Michigan State's football game against Washington on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
July 24, 2025

‘Unusual’: NBCU’s Surprise Interest in a New Cable Sports Network

Its previous channel NBCSN was shuttered less than four years ago.
July 23, 2025

‘ACC Huddle’ Joins College Football’s TV Road-Show Race

This season, “ACC Huddle” will broadcast from the conference’s weekly marquee game.
Jul 20, 2025; Portrush, IRL; Scottie Scheffler celebrates with the Claret Jug after winning the 153rd Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Portrush.
July 22, 2025

Scheffler Pushes The Open to Largest Audience Since 2022 at St Andrews

McIlroy’s Masters victory in April remains the highest-rated major of 2025.
WNBA
July 22, 2025

WNBA All-Star Ratings Dip From Clark High, Still 52% Over Old Record

Caitlin Clark did not play due to a groin injury.