Disney Preparing for Life Without CEO Bob Iger

Image: Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. (photo courtesy of Disney Parks)
Image: Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. (photo courtesy of Disney Parks)
Rich Thomaselli
by Rich Thomaselli
Last updated: 3:00 PM ET, Wed December 6, 2023

The Walt Disney World Company is preparing for a future without current CEO Bob Iger.

Iger returned two years ago to a changing media landscape. He was the longtime CEO, bringing Disney to new heights with a stock price nearing $200 a share.

The stock price was down to $90.81 in trading on Wednesday.

Iger revealed he will be stepping down again as CEO in 2026, saying he is 100 percent positive. Disney has already begun searching for a replacement, but nearly everybody agrees that Bob Chapek, who replaced Iger two years ago, did not work out as well as hoped.

Disney is still involved in a feud with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and Iger is embroiled in a battle with investor Nathan Peltz, who owns about $3 billion in Disney stock. 

The company’s market cap is still $166 billion, but collectively, shareholders said they have lost $70 billion since last February.

The company is looking at cost-cutting measures and is rumored to be in the market to sell ESPN and ABC. However, the company wants to expand its signature Walt Disney World theme park in Orlando.

The company is said to spend $60 billion over the next ten years in all of its theme parks.

Disney announced the return of dividends to investors and will begin returning $0.30 per share in 2024. Peltz is not looking to replace Iger but wants to fill several board seats with like-minded allies. That is, he wants to have people who have shareholder value as one of their main concerns.

Iger did say two months ago that he would try to quell the dispute with the Florida governor.


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