Disney Now Plans to Announce Bob Iger’s Replacement in ‘Early 2026’

Tony Maglio
3-min read

Disney won’t be getting a new CEO for the holidays — maybe next year.

On Monday, we got an update on the company’s succession search in a press release announcing James Gorman as the chairman of Disney’s board of directors (effective January 2, 2025). Gorman, who is the outgoing executive chairman of Morgan Stanley, will replace Mark G. Parker in the role. Parker, the executive chairman of Nike, is departing the Disney board after nine years.

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Gorman, who was already the chairman of Disney’s succession committee, says he plans on announcing Bob Iger’s successor in “early 2026.”

They’ve got to get it right this time.

Iger exited as Disney CEO in 2020, handing the baton to parks boss Bob Chapek. The Chapek tenure lasted a tumultuous two years (to be fair to Chapek, those were the COVID years), and Iger un-retired to right the ship. Chapek was fired.

What was supposed to just be a two-year return for Iger was extended in 2023. Iger’s second CEO tenure now runs through the end of 2026, so there will be a one-year transition period with the (next) new CEO, roughly.

“I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve as Disney’s Chairman at this important moment in the company’s history,” Gorman said in a statement. “In the short time I have had the opportunity to work with Mark, I have come to appreciate and deeply respect his authentic leadership, humility and intelligence. I know all Directors join me in saying we have been honored to serve with him as the Chairman of the Board.”

Gorman continued, “A critical priority before us is to appoint a new CEO, which we now expect to announce in early 2026. 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 in December 2026.”

The leading internal candidates to replace Iger are Dana Walden (the head of TV), Alan Bergman (film), Jimmy Pitaro (ESPN), and Josh D’Amaro (experiences — the new Chapek, basically).

“The Disney Board has benefited tremendously from James Gorman’s expertise and guidance, and we are lucky to have him as our next Chairman — particularly as the Board continues to move forward with the succession process,” Iger said. “I’m extremely grateful to Mark Parker for his many years of Board service and leadership, which have been so valuable to this company and its shareholders, and to me as CEO.

“James Gorman is an esteemed leader who has become an invaluable voice on the Disney Board since joining earlier this year, and I am extremely pleased that he has agreed to assume the role of Chairman upon my departure. Drawing on his vast experience, James is expertly guiding the extensive search process for a new CEO, which remains a top priority for the Board,” Parker said. “As I prepare to leave the Board to focus on other areas of my work, I am proud of Disney’s renewed position of strength and excited for the company’s future, and I want to thank my fellow directors, Bob Iger and his exemplary management team for their continued strong leadership and dedication.”

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