• Loading stock data...
Saturday, August 30, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Get your ticket now!

Disney Continues to Slow Play Bob Iger’s Succession Plan

  • Iger delayed his retirement multiple times during his initial 15-year run as Disney CEO.
  • The top four replacement candidates are reportedly Iger’s direct reports.
Feb 13, 2023; Beverly Hills, CA, USA; Disney CEO Bob Iger arrives at the 95th Oscars nominees luncheon at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023.
Dan MacMedan-Imagn Images

Bob Iger’s successor won’t be getting named anytime soon. 

Disney announced Monday it will name its new chief executive in “early 2026,” and it said former Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman will replace Mark Parker as board chairman effective Jan. 2, 2025. Parker is executive chairman of Nike.

Choosing Iger’s successor has been a top priority for the company since its previous succession turmoil. Iger’s contract expires at the end of 2026. 

In August, Gorman was named head of Disney’s succession planning. Iger, who returned to run Disney in 2022 after initially stepping away from the company in 2020, postponed retirement multiple times during his first run as CEO, which spanned 15 years. Bob Chapek succeeded Iger as CEO in early 2020, but he was fired about two years later. 

In an interview at The New York Times’ DealBook Summit in November 2023, Iger said he was “definitely going to step down” at the end of his current contract. Iger is 73 and the 2026 timeline could simply be a punt on succession talks to avoid them becoming a distraction, at least for now. 

The top four candidates reportedly vying to succeed Iger are his direct reports: Disney television executive Dana Walden, theme parks and resorts chairman Josh D’Amaro, movie chief Alan Bergman, and ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro. The Disney board said on Monday external candidates are also being considered. NBA commissioner Adam Silver was reportedly a candidate to succeed Iger in March 2023, but he said he has “no intention of going anywhere” when asked about it. 

While announcing a specific timeline for the CEO decision adds a bit of clarity to the process, the question of whom Iger’s successor will be is going to loom over the company for at least a year.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) after a touchdown catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.

The Most Expensive Roster Year in College Football History

The House settlement created revenue-sharing—and a big NIL loophole.
Dallas Wings

WNBA Teams Desperate to Expand Rosters Amid ‘Extreme Hardship’ 

The Wings are scrambling to field eight players Friday night.
Jason Kelce
exclusive

YouTube Approached Jason Kelce for Chiefs Game, ESPN Said No

ESPN continues to enforce its policy of not lending talents to streamers.

Cody Campbell Asks Congress to Allow National College Sports TV Package

The billionaire’s ad will air on ESPN and Fox this weekend.

Featured Today

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.
Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
August 22, 2025

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.

Parsons Trade Reinforces Packers As NFL TV Powerhouse

Betting odds surge for Green Bay after acquiring the star defensive end.
exclusive
August 28, 2025

Shannon Sharpe Adds James Harrison, Joe Haden Show to Media Empire

Sharpe is back to business after settling a multimillion-dollar lawsuit this summer.
August 28, 2025

Fox, YouTube TV Reach Deal, Avoiding CFB Blackout

Saturday’s Texas-Ohio State college football game will be fully distributed
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
August 28, 2025

The Next Chapter in the Network Battle for College Football Dominance

Fox and ESPN will jockey for viewers and attention at Texas–Ohio State.
exclusive
August 27, 2025

Ryen Russillo Leaving Ringer, Dave Portnoy Expected to Invest in New Business

Russillo has one of the world’s most popular sports podcasts.
exclusive
August 27, 2025

Cam Newton to Expand ESPN ‘First Take’ Role After Shannon Sharpe Exit

The former NFL MVP will take on a bigger role on “First Take.”
August 26, 2025

Annual Football Season Tradition: A High-Stakes Media Blackout Fight

The ongoing Fox–YouTube TV dispute marks an annual media tradition.