Disney and YouTube Settle Lawsuit Over Justin Connolly Hiring
Disney and YouTube have settled their legal battle over the latter’s hiring of former ESPN executive Justin Connolly.
As a quick recap, Connolly abruptly left his position as Disney’s President of Platform Distribution last May, after spending decades with the company.
Photo: ESPN
The shocking departure came just months after Disney and Connolly had agreed to a new contract extension, and days after the executive had participated in a media briefing about ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer app.
Once a serious candidate to replace John Skipper as president of ESPN, Connolly’s departure was quite the surprise.
Quickly, however, it became clear why he left as YouTube hired Connolly as its first global head of media and sports.
YouTube
While such moves are not uncommon, Connolly’s came as Disney and YouTube were preparing to enter negotiations for a new carriage deal.
Disney Quickly Filed Suit
Shortly after Connolly jumped ship to YouTube, Disney filed a breach-of-contract suit in Los Angeles Superior Court, asking for an injunction to stop the executive from making the move.
Photo: cba.cj
They also filed a temporary restraining order against both Connolly and YouTube.
“Connolly’s departure would leave Disney exposed to the competitive disadvantage of having a key executive switch sides mid-deal with inside information,” the company argued.
Photo:Joe Faraoni/ESPN
“Disney would incur those disadvantages despite having secured Connolly’s exclusive services until March 2027, at considerable expense, in a recently signed and binding fixed-term employment agreement.”
One month after the legal battle began, Judge James C. Chalfant rejected Disney’s motion for a restraining order.
Photo: cba.cj
That brings us to today.
The Settlement
Six months after Connolly jilted Disney for YouTube, the two sides have settled their dispute.
Photo: Disney
“The settlement agreement conditions dismissal of this matter on the satisfactory completion of specified terms that are not to be performed within 45 days of the date of the settlement,” A court document explained. “A request for dismissal will be filed no later than (date): January 5, 2026.”
While the settlement details will remain confidential, YouTube had previously been open to implementing safeguards to ensure that Connolly was not involved in the carriage negotiations with Disney.
Photo: Disney
After losing their bid for a restraining order, the handwriting was on the wall for the Mouse House.
Now, it looks like the matter has finally been laid to rest.
Photo: MickeyBlog
