SUCCESSION

Disney CEO Bob Iger won. But he's gotta leave eventually. Here's who might replace him

Disney has until 2026 to find a replacement for its longtime and still current chief executive

Published2 hours ago

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Disney CEO Bob Iger — Bob Iger’s current contract with Disney ends in 2026.

Now that Disney has prevailed in its months-long and expensive proxy battle with activist investor Nelson Peltz, some investors will be eager to see the media giant take steps to ensure a successful transfer of power CEO Bob Iger steps down in 2026.

Disney succession plans had become a major sticking point in the fight. One of Peltz’s goals, had he been elected to the company’s board, was to complete a successful CEO succession. He had criticized Disney’s failed attempt at replacing Iger. Just a year after retiring, Iger returned to the company in 2022 to serve what was supposed to be a two-year term. He is now expected to leave the company in 2026.

Here are some of the top contenders in the running to succeeded him.

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Dana Walden

Disney Entertainment co-chair Dana Walden is currently seen as the frontrunner for the job among Hollywood insiders, Reuters reports. Walden previously worked 25 years at 21st Century Fox, before joining Disney in 2019 when the latter acquired the former. She currently leads the media giant’s television business, including streaming.

Walden would be the first woman to serve as CEO in the 100-year-old company’s history.

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Alan Bergman

Disney Entertainment’s other co-chair Alan Bergman is a also reportedly being considered for the role. Bergman has been with the company since 1996 and currently oversees Disney’s movie studios. Disney has said Bergman was “deeply involved” in leading the company’s integration efforts of the various studios it acquired over the years, including Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and the Fox film studios.

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Josh D’Amaro

Image for article titled Disney CEO Bob Iger won. But he's gotta leave eventually. Here's who might replace him — Image: Image Group LA / Contributor (Getty Images)

Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, heads some of the company’s most revenue generating divisions. D’Amaro’s portfolio includes Disney’s 12 theme parks around the world, hotels, cruises and consumer products. Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal and Reuters have all reported that he’s a top internal candidate for the role of CEO.

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James Pitaro

ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro’s name has also been thrown around as a potential candidate to succeed Iger. He currently oversees the largest sports media company in the world, which makes up one of Disney’s three core business segments. He recently struck a deal with Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery to launch a joint sports streaming service.

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