The parent company of Bristol-based ESPN, The Walt Disney Co., has named a new chief executive.
The parent company of Bristol-based ESPN has named a new chief executive, as The Walt Disney Co. announced Josh D’Amaro will succeed Bob Iger as CEO.
D’Amaro currently serves as chairman of Disney Experiences, the division overseeing theme parks, resorts and consumer products. His appointment is part of the company’s long-planned leadership succession.
The leadership change carries relevance for Connecticut because ESPN is one of the state’s most prominent media operations and employers.
While the announcement did not detail specific changes for Disney’s media divisions, shifts at the corporate level can influence strategic direction across the company’s portfolio, including sports media,
streaming and broadcast businesses tied to ESPN.
There had been
speculation that ESPN chair Jimmy Pitaro would be considered for Disney’s top job, but reports came out last year and recently that he wasn’t interested in the role.
D’Amaro takes the helm as Disney continues navigating changes in traditional television and direct-to-consumer streaming, key areas for ESPN’s evolving business model.
