Earlier this week, reports indicated that ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro was not interested in succeeding Bob Iger as Disney’s CEO. Pitaro has since addressed the matter, confirming to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic that ESPN is where he wants to be.
“I’ve been pretty consistent on this,” he stated. “I’m passionate about sports. I’m in my dream job, one I never thought I could have. Every single day, I wake up and remind myself, ‘I have to earn this.’ I’m surrounded by the best executives and employees in the industry. I love the brand, our road map, and what we’re doing right now. That’s my public stance, and it will remain so. How others interpret my words is their prerogative, but I can unequivocally say that I love my job.”
Meanwhile, two other Disney executives have emerged as front-runners to take over Iger’s role: Josh D’Amaro, Disney’s Chairperson of Parks and Resorts, and Dana Walden, Co-Chair of Disney Entertainment. For someone who has dedicated much of their life to sports like Pitaro, leading the more extensive parent company may not hold the same appeal, especially considering the challenges faced by Iger’s first successor, Bob Chapek; it’s clear that stepping into those shoes won’t be simple.
As Pitaro focuses on his role as ESPN chairman, he will be busy overseeing the upcoming direct-to-consumer launch this fall, negotiating a potential equity deal with NFL Media, and preparing for ESPN’s inaugural Super Bowl Broadcast in two years. With such a hefty workload, he won’t have to contend with theme parks and movie budgets.
