Disney vows to resolve Iger succession in 2026 as Gorman becomes board chair
By Simone Del Rosario (Business Correspondent), Brent Jabbour (Senior Producer), Emma Stoltzfus (Video Editor/Producer)
Disney is inching closer to a future without Bob Iger at the helm, although it may take a little longer than expected. Now the entertainment and theme park juggernaut says it will name its new CEO in “early 2026.”
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Disney names Gorman to serve as next chairman; with new CEO in 2026
Click to see story on The IndependentDisney names Gorman to serve as next chairman; anticipates naming new CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on Associated Press NewsDisney names Morgan Stanley’s James Gorman as next board chairman; to appoint new CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on Hindustan TimesDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman James Gorman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on abc NewsMajor shakeup at Disney: Board chair is out. New CEO is coming soon
Click to see story on CNNDisney announces when it will replace CEO Bob Iger
Click to see story on CBS NewsDisney says it will pick Bob Iger’s successor in early 2026
Click to see story on Los Angeles TimesDisney Names James Gorman Chairman
Click to see story on VarietyDisney Names James Gorman Board Chairman; Company To Announce Bob Iger’s Successor In Early 2026
Click to see story on DeadlineDisney says it will appoint Bob Iger’s successor as CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on Business InsiderDisney to announce next CEO in early 2026, names James Gorman as new chair
Click to see story on The Korea TimesDisney’s still looking for a new CEO — but not this year or next year
Click to see story on The VergeDisney Names James Gorman Chairman of the Board
Click to see story on The Hollywood ReporterDisney Names James Gorman as New Chairman, to Announce Next CEO in Early 2026
Click to see story on U.S. NewsDisney names Gorman to serve as next chairman; anticipates naming new CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on WCSHDisney announces James Gorman as new chairman
Click to see story on Fast CompanyDisney names James Gorman as new chairman, to announce next CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on ReutersDisney will name Bob Iger’s replacement in early 2026; James Gorman to become board chair next year – Business Fast
Click to see story on CNBCDisney names Morgan Stanley’s James Gorman as chair
Click to see story on RTÉBob Iger’s successor to be announced in 2026
Click to see story on UPIDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on KCRA 3Disney names Gorman to serve as next chairman
Click to see story on Spectrum NewsDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WCVBDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WLWTDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WMURDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WLKYJames Gorman to serve as next Disney board chairman, anticipates naming new CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on WESHDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WDSUDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WYFFDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WTAEDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on KCCIDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on KMBCDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WISNDisney to elevate CEO-search leader James Gorman to chairman
Click to see story on MarketWatchDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WBAL-TVDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WPTZDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WMTWDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WVTMDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WAPTDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on KOATDisney names Gorman to serve as next chairman; anticipates naming new CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on 9NEWS DenverDisney names Gorman to serve as next chairman; anticipates naming new CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on WFAA 8abcDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WPBFDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WGALDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on KSBWDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WJCLMajor shakeup at Disney: Board chair is out. New CEO is coming soon
Click to see story on WAAY-TVDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on KHBSDisney names Gorman to serve as next chairman; anticipates naming new CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on KTVBDisney will announce CEO Bob Iger’s successor by early 2026
Click to see story on QuartzDisney names Gorman to serve as next chairman; anticipates naming new CEO in early 2026
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Disney appoints James Gorman as new chairman of the board of directors
Click to see story on GloboDisney names James Gorman as next chairman
Click to see story on Shropshire StarDisney names Gorman to serve as next chairman; anticipates naming new CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on My Mother LodeDisney Has Revealed When Bob Iger’s Replacement As CEO Will Finally Be Named, But I Have Questions
Click to see story on Cinema BlendDisney Now Plans to Announce Bob Iger’s Replacement in ‘Early 2026’
Click to see story on IndieWireDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on MOR-TVMONEY & BUSINESS: Disney to name CEO Bob Iger’s replacement in 2026, taps Morgan Stanley’s Gorman as chair – One America News Network – U-S-NEWS.COM
Click to see story on U-S-NEWS.COMDisney appoints James Gorman as new Chairman, ahead of CEO transition in 2026
Click to see story on NairametricsDisney says it will hire a new CEO in ‘early 2026’. Sets James…
Click to see story on ResetEraDisney will appoint a new CEO in early 2026, he will succeed Bobby Iger
Click to see story on agenzianova.comDisney plans to name CEO Bob Iger’s successor in early 2026, and says ex-Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman will replace Mark Parker as chairman in January 2025
Click to see story on mediagazer.comDisney will name Bob Iger’s replacement in early 2026; James Gorman to
Click to see story on EMEA Tribune, Breaking News, World News, Latest News, Top HeadlinesDisney Taps Morgan Stanley’s Gorman as Chairman, Plans to Name New CEO in 2026
Click to see story on abbonews.comWalt Disney Company Names James P. Gorman as Chairman, Effective January 2, 2025
Click to see story on Chip and CoJames Gorman to Become Walt Disney Chairman – Markets Media
Click to see story on Markets MediaJames Gorman will take over as the Disney board’s chairman on Jan. 2, 2025, the company also announced Monday, Oct. 21. Gorman will officially step away from his executive chairman role at Morgan Stanley at the end of 2024.
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Gorman is taking over the board chair role from Mark Parker, who also serves as executive chairman at Nike, which has its own troubles and recently faced a CEO shakeup. Parker served as president and CEO of Nike from 2006 to 2020. The Disney board had even asked him to consider being interim CEO in 2022, but he declined, citing his Nike workload.
There are already many rumors surrounding which internal Disney candidates are leading the race to take over for Iger. The shortlist includes Dana Walden, the co-chair of Disney Entertainment; Alan Bergman, Walden’s co-chair; Josh D’Amaro, who is head of Disney Experiences, and Jimmy Pitaro, who runs ESPN. The Succession Planning Committee says it will still “review internal candidates and external candidates.”
Iger served as CEO of Disney from 2005 to 2020. He hand-picked Bob Chapek to be his successor, but after a series of missteps and weak performance, Disney fired Chapek in 2022. Iger returned to the company and the dysfunction of the succession process caught the attention of the media and investors.
With Iger in charge, Disney survived a proxy war in April with activist investor Nelson Peltz. Peltz was unhappy with the company’s succession handling and its lackluster performance in streaming.
Iger’s latest tenure as CEO is set to culminate at the end of 2026 when his contract expires.
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Gorman took over the Succession Planning Committee in August. He served as CEO of Morgan Stanley from 2010 to 2023. He oversaw the succession process that led to Ted Pick becoming the bank’s CEO.
“This timing reflects the progress the Succession Planning Committee and the Board are making, and will allow ample time for a successful transition before the conclusion of Bob Iger’s contract,” Gorman said of the 2026 target.
The Disney succession committee will include Parker through the rest of the year, along with GM CEO Mary Barra and lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald.
[Simone Del Rosario]
Disney is inching closer to its Bob Iger-less future, although it might be crawling a little slower than previously expected. Now the House of Mouse says it will hire its new CEO in “early 2026.”
Disney announced Monday, James Gorman will take over as Chairman of the Board at the start of 2025 after he officially steps down from his Executive Chairman role at Morgan Stanley at the end of this year.
Gorman was tapped to head Disney board’s Succession Planning Committee back in August. He brings unique experience to that role, having overseen the process when Ted Pick succeeded him as Morgan Stanley CEO.
There’s a ton of talk about potential internal Disney candidates to take over for Iger.
The short list includes Dana Walden, the co-chair of Disney Entertainment, Alan Bergman, Walden’s co-chair, Josh D’Amaro, who is head of Disney Experiences, aka theme parks and video games, and Jimmy Pitaro, who runs ESPN.
And there could be something to promoting from within, even if it didn’t work out for Disney the last time Iger left.
GAUTAM MUKUNDA:
Most great, long-lived, great companies operate this way, in general. Well, the business, the academic research on sort of companies that live for a long time is they hire almost exclusively internally, because hiring external people is a risk, right? Whenever you do it, you’re taking a big risk because you don’t know them as well as you might otherwise.
Simone Del Rosario:
But the Succession Planning Committee says it will still “review internal candidates and external candidates.”
The last attempt to replace Iger internally failed. Iger served as CEO of Walt Disney from 2005 to 2020. He hand-picked Bob Chapek to be his successor. Chapek had spent nearly three decades with the company, working his way up from the VHS division to Head of Parks before getting the CEO nod. But when Chapek took the reins, Iger’s succession plan allowed him to stay on as executive chairman for nearly two years. During that time, Iger was accused of undermining Chapek at every turn.
After a series of missteps and weak performance, Chapek was fired in 2022. Iger came back to helm the company and even fought off a proxy war this year with activist investor Nelson Peltz. Peltz had taken issue with the company’s succession handling and its lackluster streaming performance.
Iger’s latest contract now runs through the end of 2026 and he’s made clear this is the end of the road.
Andrew Ross Sorkin: Do you think in two years you really will step down.
Bob Iger: Given the list of things I have to do. Yeah, I’m definitely going to.
Bob Iger: We’re attacking each one of them. I’m confident we will do so successfully.
Simone Del Rosario:
While the process might feel like it’s taking longer than the four seasons of the hit HBO show, “Succession,” James Gorman says, “This timing reflects the progress the Succession Planning Committee and the Board are making, and will allow ample time for a successful transition before the conclusion of Bob Iger’s contract…”
Gorman is taking over the board chair role from Mark Parker, who will leave the board entirely to focus on Nike. Parker also serves as Executive Chairman at Nike, which has its own troubles and recently faced a CEO shakeup. Parker served as President and CEO of Nike from 2006 to 2020. The Disney board had even asked him to consider being interim CEO in 2022, but he declined, citing his Nike workload.
The Disney succession committee “take 2” will include Parker through the rest of the year, along with GM CEO Mary Barra and LuLuLemon CEO Calvin McDonald.
For more on what’s going on over at Nike, search for this story titled, “After a lot of mistakes, this is the only direction Nike can take,” at SAN.com or the Straight Arrow News app.
Media Landscape
See who else is reporting on this story and which side of the political spectrum they lean. To read other sources, click on the plus signs below. Learn more about this dataBias Distribution
Left
Disney names Gorman to serve as next chairman; with new CEO in 2026
Click to see story on The IndependentDisney names Gorman to serve as next chairman; anticipates naming new CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on Associated Press NewsDisney names Morgan Stanley’s James Gorman as next board chairman; to appoint new CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on Hindustan TimesDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman James Gorman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on abc NewsMajor shakeup at Disney: Board chair is out. New CEO is coming soon
Click to see story on CNNDisney announces when it will replace CEO Bob Iger
Click to see story on CBS NewsDisney says it will pick Bob Iger’s successor in early 2026
Click to see story on Los Angeles TimesDisney Names James Gorman Chairman
Click to see story on VarietyDisney Names James Gorman Board Chairman; Company To Announce Bob Iger’s Successor In Early 2026
Click to see story on DeadlineDisney says it will appoint Bob Iger’s successor as CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on Business InsiderDisney to announce next CEO in early 2026, names James Gorman as new chair
Click to see story on The Korea TimesDisney’s still looking for a new CEO — but not this year or next year
Click to see story on The VergeDisney Names James Gorman Chairman of the Board
Click to see story on The Hollywood ReporterDisney Names James Gorman as New Chairman, to Announce Next CEO in Early 2026
Click to see story on U.S. NewsDisney names Gorman to serve as next chairman; anticipates naming new CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on WCSHDisney announces James Gorman as new chairman
Click to see story on Fast CompanyDisney names James Gorman as new chairman, to announce next CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on ReutersDisney will name Bob Iger’s replacement in early 2026; James Gorman to become board chair next year – Business Fast
Click to see story on CNBCDisney names Morgan Stanley’s James Gorman as chair
Click to see story on RTÉBob Iger’s successor to be announced in 2026
Click to see story on UPIDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on KCRA 3Disney names Gorman to serve as next chairman
Click to see story on Spectrum NewsDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WCVBDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WLWTDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WMURDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WLKYJames Gorman to serve as next Disney board chairman, anticipates naming new CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on WESHDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WDSUDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WYFFDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WTAEDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on KCCIDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on KMBCDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WISNDisney to elevate CEO-search leader James Gorman to chairman
Click to see story on MarketWatchDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WBAL-TVDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WPTZDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WMTWDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WVTMDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WAPTDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on KOATDisney names Gorman to serve as next chairman; anticipates naming new CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on 9NEWS DenverDisney names Gorman to serve as next chairman; anticipates naming new CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on WFAA 8abcDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WPBFDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WGALDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on KSBWDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on WJCLMajor shakeup at Disney: Board chair is out. New CEO is coming soon
Click to see story on WAAY-TVDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on KHBSDisney names Gorman to serve as next chairman; anticipates naming new CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on KTVBDisney will announce CEO Bob Iger’s successor by early 2026
Click to see story on QuartzDisney names Gorman to serve as next chairman; anticipates naming new CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on KIONDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman James Gorman as its next board chairman – KYMAcircle-arrowPlay ButtonStop Buttonchevron-rightchevron-leftchevron-upsearchwarningchevron-left-skinnychevron-right-skinnyxclockcalendarplay-buttoncancel-circleuse
Click to see story on KYMARight
Untracked Bias
Disney appoints James Gorman as new chairman of the board of directors
Click to see story on GloboDisney names James Gorman as next chairman
Click to see story on Shropshire StarDisney names Gorman to serve as next chairman; anticipates naming new CEO in early 2026
Click to see story on My Mother LodeDisney Has Revealed When Bob Iger’s Replacement As CEO Will Finally Be Named, But I Have Questions
Click to see story on Cinema BlendDisney Now Plans to Announce Bob Iger’s Replacement in ‘Early 2026’
Click to see story on IndieWireDisney names Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman as its next board chairman
Click to see story on MOR-TVMONEY & BUSINESS: Disney to name CEO Bob Iger’s replacement in 2026, taps Morgan Stanley’s Gorman as chair – One America News Network – U-S-NEWS.COM
Click to see story on U-S-NEWS.COMDisney appoints James Gorman as new Chairman, ahead of CEO transition in 2026
Click to see story on NairametricsDisney says it will hire a new CEO in ‘early 2026’. Sets James…
Click to see story on ResetEraDisney will appoint a new CEO in early 2026, he will succeed Bobby Iger
Click to see story on agenzianova.comDisney plans to name CEO Bob Iger’s successor in early 2026, and says ex-Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman will replace Mark Parker as chairman in January 2025
Click to see story on mediagazer.comDisney will name Bob Iger’s replacement in early 2026; James Gorman to
Click to see story on EMEA Tribune, Breaking News, World News, Latest News, Top HeadlinesDisney Taps Morgan Stanley’s Gorman as Chairman, Plans to Name New CEO in 2026
Click to see story on abbonews.comWalt Disney Company Names James P. Gorman as Chairman, Effective January 2, 2025
Click to see story on Chip and CoJames Gorman to Become Walt Disney Chairman – Markets Media
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