• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Get your ticket now!

Disney Succession Talk Rises Amid Shareholder Battles, ESPN Changes

  • Public attention builds regarding who will lead the company after Iger.
  • Jimmy Pitaro’s profile continues to escalate as the sports media giant remains on the cusp of several major initiatives.
Jul 12, 2023; Los Angeles, CA, USA; ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro arrives on the red carpet before the 2023 ESPYS at the Dolby Theatre.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The intrigue surrounding Disney leadership succession is heating up, perhaps with as much drama as the popular TV show of the same name.

Current CEO Bob Iger returned to the job with an initial expiration date at the end of 2024, only to sign a two-year contract extension that pushes that exit out to the end of ’26, when he’ll be 75. But, with nearly three years to go, interest and speculation are quickly rising about who will lead Disney in its next era.

Bloomberg reported last week that ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro is one of four leading internal candidates, joining Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, co-chairs of Disney Entertainment, and Josh D’Amaro, who heads up the company’s theme parks business. Pitaro’s listing there is hardly a surprise, as he and Iger have been close for years, and his name has already come up in succession talks for more than a year.

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal profiled Pitaro on Sunday, detailing his efforts to remake the sports media giant in an era of unprecedented media turbulence while also describing him as “one of the contenders to succeed” Iger. 

A New Level of Urgency

The Disney succession issue, however, is now heating up for several reasons. Not only is ESPN on the cusp of several major initiatives, including a full, direct-to-consumer offering, bidding for another set of NBA rights, and potentially the sale of part of the network, but Disney is also facing increased shareholder pressure. 

Activist investor Nelson Peltz, in particular, has lobbied hard on several fronts, including for more clarity on the succession plan, rescaling the TV and movie business, and a bundling of the ESPN+ and Netflix streaming services. He is also pushing for board seats to further advance his case, engaging in a broad-based campaign, which includes various white papers and other advocacy efforts. Disney has opposed Peltz on virtually every front. 

Helping Disney’s case, however, are improved earnings and a 25% surge in shares so far this year, closing at $113.85 per share Monday. Perhaps seeing some of that growth, influential proxy advisory firm Glass Lewis recommended Disney shareholders withhold votes for all board candidates except Disney’s own selections.

Pitaro, among others, ruffled feathers with the recent announcement of a Fox-ESPN-Warner Bros. Discovery streaming alliance, but he has several major pluses in his favor, including having rebuilt a once-fractured ESPN relationship with the NFL and landing the network’s first Super Bowls.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The cast of ESPN College GameDay begins their show prior to the NCAA football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. The show is the final one for Lee Corso.

OSU Sophomore Wins $250K in McAfee ‘GameDay’ Kicking Contest

The former NFL punter started offering prize money for kicks in 2023.
Stan Verrett and Neil Everett

Stan Verrett and Neil Everett Have Uphill Climb to Succeed on Twitch

The former ESPN anchors’ new show will also be distributed on YouTube.

Less Belichick Hype Could Mean Bad News for CFB Stakeholders

UNC had never begun a football season with so much hype.

Bill Belichick’s Star-Studded UNC Coaching Debut Turns Ugly

Michael Jordan highlighted a long list of celebrities in attendance.

Featured Today

Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrate their touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field.

TV Ratings Just Changed Again. The NFL Will Be the Big Winner

Nielsen’s new viewership system will have a big impact on sports.
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.
August 30, 2025

The Most Expensive Roster Year in College Football History

The House settlement created revenue-sharing—and a big NIL loophole.
August 26, 2025

‘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.

NFL on Nielsen’s Latest Measurement Upgrade: ‘More Work to Be Done’

The league calls its relationship with the agency a “protracted journey.”
August 28, 2025

NFL Preseason Sees 17% Jump in TV Ratings, Best Since 2018

Average audiences for the exhibition games increase sharply from last year.
September 1, 2025

Lee Corso’s Farewell Delivers Record ‘College GameDay’ Viewership

ESPN averaged 3.5 million viewers, per preliminary figures.
Sponsored

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

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
Tom Brady
August 27, 2025

NFL Continues to Loosen Tom Brady Restrictions

Brady will be able to attend production meetings–remotely–this season.
ESPN
August 27, 2025

Disney Sues Sling TV Over $5 Day Passes Granting ESPN Access

Newly introduced short-term subscriptions spark a legal challenge.
August 27, 2025

FCC Chair Joins Fox–YouTube TV Fight With Big Game on the Line

The Trump appointee is now involved in another media carriage fight.
Aug 24, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tommy Fleetwood holds the FedExCup Trophy on the 18th green after winning the TOUR Championship golf tournament.
August 26, 2025

PGA Tour TV Ratings: Fleetwood’s Breakthrough Caps Playoff Surge

Sunday’s final round drew nearly 4.5 million viewers on NBC.