Could Jimmy Pitaro Replace Bob Iger?
Earlier this week we brought you news that NBA commissioner Adam Silver was on the short list of candidates to replace Bob Iger as CEO of the Walt Disney Company.
While Silver still remains a possibility to lead Disney, another executive with experience in sports is also under consideration for the job.
ESPN’s Jimmy Pitaro is emerging as a possible successor to Bob Iger. The ESPN chairman is reputedly one of the handful of candidates being considered.
Pitaro’s Credentials
During Pitaro’s five year tenure as the head of ESPN, the former Disney Interactive executive managed to save Disney’s business partnership with the NFL. As part of a new deal, ESPN has also scored the rights to their first Super Bowls for the 2026 and 2030.
Additionally, Pitaro has a reputation for getting along with, and acquiring, top talent. Troy Aikman, Joe Buck, and Peyton Manning have all joined ESPN during his time at the helm.
Finally, while ESPN has continued to struggle financially, the flagship sports channel has done well in streaming. ESPN+ now has over 25 million subscribers, and has landed Tom Brady, Derek Jeter, and Michael Strahan for ESPN+ original shows.
Iger’s Vote of Confidence
During the Walt Disney Company’s Q1 earnings call, Bob Iger announced that ESPN would be one of the three main departments within the company. Pitaro now heads a department on equal footing with Disney Parks and Disney Entertainment.
While it is likely too early to call Jimmy Pitaro, or any candidate, a frontrunner, the possibility that the ESPN head could move into the CEO role cannot be denied.
As always, we will continue to follow all the news surrounding Disney’s CEO succession plan.
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