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Iger Brings Back His Old Heirs Apparent

Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs have both been engaged individually to consult with Iger, ESPN chief Jimmy Pitaro, and others at Disney.

Kevin Mayer was the architect of Disney’s big-ticket M&A and D.T.C. strategy, and Tom Staggs was Iger’s C.F.O., parks chief and C.O.O. before being passed over for the top job and leaving in 2016.
Kevin Mayer was the architect of Disney’s big-ticket M&A and D.T.C. strategy, and Tom Staggs was Iger’s C.F.O., parks chief and C.O.O. before being passed over for the top job and leaving in 2016. Photo: Greg Doherty/Variety via Getty Images
Matthew Belloni
July 31, 2023

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Bob Iger signaled a lot about Disney’s future in that CNBC interview from Sun Valley, including that he’s open to selling linear TV networks and that he’s hunting for a strategic partner for ESPN. What Iger didn’t mention is that he’s enlisted two of his former right-hand men to help in that endeavor. I’m told that Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs have both been engaged individually by Disney to consult with Iger, ESPN chief Jimmy Pitaro, and others on the future of the linear properties and how they intersect with Disney’s streaming strategy. Disney and a rep for Mayer and Staggs declined to comment.