Bob Iger Calls Settlement with DeSantis a “Win-Win”
After months of going back and forth, it looks like The Walt Disney Company and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have reached a détente.
The trouble began when Disney publically criticized Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill (which critics have dubbed “Don’t Say Gay”). For the first time in recent memory, Disney had publically involved itself in Florida politics.
DeSantis responded by dissolving the Reedy Creek Improvement District, a Disney-run special district that essentially gave governing power over its Central Florida lands. The state would subsequently replace the district with the governor-appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD).
Disney Fights Back
In the waning days of Reedy Creek, however, Disney entered into last-minute binding agreements with the district that essentially gave the company control of its land in perpetuity.
When the dust settled, Disney sued DeSantis in federal court, alleging that the dissolution of Reedy Creek was done in retaliation for the company exercising their 1st Amendment Rights.
The CFTOD meanwhile returned fire and sued Disney in state court over the last-minute Reedy Creek agreements.
Over the next year, DeSantis and Disney would spar both in the courtyard and in the court of public opinion.
Disney Loses and Then Settles
Eventually, Disney would lose its federal 1st Amendment suit when Judge Allen Winsor ruled against them. While Disney vowed to appeal, the battle between the two sides continued in state court.
As the next chapter in the battle was being written in a Florida state court, however, the two sides reached a settlement.
After the composition of the CFTOD board was changed, Disney agreed to accept the new power structure in Florida, ending the state court suit. Additionally, Disney said that should the CFTOD accept the settlement terms, they would not continue their federal case.
Iger Calls The Settlement a “Win-Win”
In an appearance on CNBC today, Disney CEO Bob Iger called the settlement between Disney and Florida a “win-win” for both sides. Disney has also previously announced that it will be investing billions of dollars in its Florida property.
“This is a good thing for the state of Florida and a good thing for The Walt Disney Company,” Iger said.
So, does the Disney CEO believe that there will be any more sparring between DeSantis and Disney?
“I would hope not, but I can’t speak for Governor DeSantis,” Iger said.
Hopefully, with their political battle between them over, both sides will work together to create a better Florida.
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