Veteran Disney Executive Justin Connolly Surprisingly Leaves the Company
As Disney ushers in a new era of ESPN with the launch of its new direct-to-consumer app later this year, it will be doing so without one of its longtime distribution executives.
Justin Connolly, who has worked for The Worldwide Leader in Sports and Disney for over two decades, has surprisingly and suddenly left the company.
Interestingly, he participated in ESPN’s media briefing about their upcoming streaming service just last week. The timing of his departure in relation to that meeting would seem to indicate that today’s news surprised Disney.
Photo: ESPN
Additionally, the two sides had agreed to a new contract earlier this year.
“In 2003, I met my wife, Jessica, while we were both working at ESPN,” Connolly wrote in a memo to staff (via Puck). “Many of you were there when we got married. And, we subsequently learned we were going to be parents for the first time in an ESPN satellite office in Cheshire, CT. Accordingly, each of our four kids holds Disney in a special place in their hearts.”
Connolly Was A Longtime ESPN Veteran
For those who may not know, Justin Connolly joined ESPN as Director, ESPN Stagey, and Operations in 2003. He eventually worked his way up the network hierarchy before making the move to parent company Disney.
Once upon a time, Connolly was considered a real candidate to head ESPN after John Skipper’s departure. Eventually, Jimmy Pitaro got the job.
Photo: Disney
Since 2018, Connolly served as the President of Platform Distribution. According to Deadline, “He oversaw all third-party media sales efforts for distribution, affiliate-related business operations for all Disney direct-to-consumer services and linear media networks, as well as content sales agreements.”
Photo: ESPN
He reported directly to Alan Bergman, Dana Walden, and Jimmy Pitaro.
What’s Next
Per the Deadline report, Sean Bree, EVP of Platform Distribution, and Jimmy Zasowski, EVP of Platform Distribution Strategy, will serve as interim Platform Distribution leaders.
According to Puck’s John Ourand, Connolly is expected to join YouTube TV. At this time, however, it is unclear if Disney will even let Connolly out of his contract.
YouTube
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