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Credit: DisneyThere has been a major development in Disney’s ongoing race to replace Bob Iger.
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More information about The Walt Disney Company’s process of finding its next CEO has been revealed, with a top executive formally removing their name from consideration. It has been highly debated who will lead next, with Bob Iger leaving behind a rich legacy for whoever follows.
The executive has served as Disney’s CEO since 2005, only taking a short break from 2020 to 2022, during which Bob Chapek steered the ship.
Chapek’s tenure as CEO was incredibly shaky, so much so that Disney opted to end his contract and bring back Iger out of retirement. Iger agreed to return to allow Disney time to hunt for its next CEO, with the race to replace him now in full swing.
However, a potential frontrunner has officially removed their name from consideration.
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A new article from Bloomberg provides more information regarding Disney’s search for its next CEO, with Chairman of ESPN and Sports Content Jimmy Pitaro confirming he is not interested in the role.
Before dropping out, Pitaro was one of four individuals speculated to be frontrunners to replace Bob Iger, with Disney Parks and Entertainment Charman Josh D’Amaro, Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment Alan Bergman, and fellow Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment Dana Walden also reportedly being considered.
However, Bloomberg reports that Alan Bergman is not on equal footing with the other two candidates. Walden and D’Amaro have long been considered strong candidates for Disney’s next CEO. Both have strengths and weaknesses, with D’Amaro having somewhat of a blind spot when it comes to the media portion of Disney’s operations and Walden being less familiar with “The Wall Street side,” per reports.
It’s still very possible Disney will look outwardly for its next CEO, with Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson being cited by The Wall Street Journal last year as an option.
Disney confirmed that it would announce its next CEO sometime in 2026, the same year Bob Iger’s current contract is set to expire. At the start of 2025, Disney named James Gorman as head of its committee to find a new CEO, with the search now becoming a little tighter with Jimmy Pitaro dropping out.
Stay tuned here at Inside the Magic for all news on The Walt Disney Company.