Rumored Disney CEO Candidate Jimmy Pitaro Says He Is Focused on ESPN

While much ink has been spilled about the possibility of Disney executives Alan Bergman, Dana Walden, or Josh D’Amaro succeeding Bob Iger as the company’s CEO, another dark horse candidate has been looming.

I am, of course, talking about EPSN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, who has a unique blend of business and content experience that would seem to uniquely qualify him to be Disney’s next CEO.

Pitaro has grabbed headlines in recent months for his efforts to guide ESPN into the era of streaming with the launch of Flagship next year and for signing a series of major television rights deals.

ESPN

In an ever-changing media landscape, the ESPN chairman has proven to be both bold and flexible.

Pitaro Says He Is Focused on ESPN

In a recent interview with CNBC Sport’s Alex Sherman, Pitaro was asked about possibly succeeding Iger. The ESPN chairman quickly asserted that he was focused on the Worldwide Leader in Sports.

“Look, we have a pretty robust roadmap, and so my job is to keep my head down and deliver for ESPN, deliver for the sports fan, deliver for the Walt Disney Company,” said Pitaro. “And that’s what I’m doing. I love my job. I’m a huge sports fan. I spent years competing against ESPN, and I spent years sitting at Bob Iger’s table, hearing from ESPN leadership and groups to really like and respect this place and its culture.”

(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Looking at the current state of ESPN, Pitaro feels he still has something to prove.

“So I wake up every morning and I say, I have to earn this job, and I really mean that. I know how fortunate I am to be in this chair leading ESPN. And I couldn’t be more excited about the roadmap that we have in front of us.”

What Pitaro Lacks

While Pitaro has shown that he has an acute business sense and the ability to lead a major organization through uncharted waters, the questions surrounding his candidacy for Disney’s top position revolve around his creative chops.

NBC News

Unlike Bergman and Walden, who oversee Disney’s films and television content, or D’Amaro, tasked with running the Disney Parks, Pitaro’s primary duties revolve around business.

JON KOPALOFF/GETTY IMAGES

Still, with the future of the media landscape muddled, Disney could do worse than having someone of Pitaro’s acumen guiding it forward.