Adam Silver isn’t the only name from the sports world on Disney’s list. Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports reports that Jimmy Pitaro could become the new CEO of the company following Bob Iger’s retirement.
Pitaro received the title of Chairman when ESPN was reorganized into its own division of the Walt Disney Company last month. He oversees everything under the company’s umbrella including linear and digital operations as well as live events and other businesses.
Iger returned to the company in November amidst instability under his successor Bob Chapek. It was only ever meant to be a temporary fix. He is 72 years old after all.
McCarthy reports that in addition to Jimmy Pitaro and the aforementioned NBA Commissioner Silver, the shortlist of potential successors includes Disney Co-Chairman Dana Walden and former Disney and TikTok executive Kevin Mayer.
At 53 years old, Pitaro brings an age that would suggest he could lead Disney for years to come. He also has a list of accomplishments that will raise some eyebrows including saving ESPN’s troubled relationship with the NFL, adding the Manning brothers to the talent roster, and spearheading the launch of ESPN+.
It isn’t the first time Pitaro has been mentioned as a potential successor to Bob Iger. McCarthy notes that if he were to ascend to the top of the Walt Disney Company, Burke Magnus is most likely to succeed Jimmy Pitaro at ESPN.
