Disney Board Nears CEO Decision, Parks Chief Josh D’Amaro Emerges as Front-Runner
LOS ANGELES — The Walt Disney Company is on the verge of a major leadership transition, with its board of directors coalescing around a plan to appoint Josh D’Amaro, the current chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, as its next chief executive officer, according to sources familiar with the deliberations. A formal vote is expected within the coming week.
D’Amaro, 54, has overseen the division that serves as Disney's primary profit engine since 2020. His anticipated promotion would see him succeed Bob Iger, the iconic executive who led Disney from 2005 to 2020 before returning in 2022 to stabilize the company following a challenging period under his successor, Bob Chapek. The board's decision, however, is not yet final and could be subject to change.
"The board has not yet selected the next CEO of the Walt Disney Co. and once that decision is made, we will announce it," a company spokesperson said in a statement, maintaining the official line.
This move would bring to a close a rigorous, three-year succession process spearheaded by Disney Chairman James Gorman. The search intensified after Iger's return, creating an internal competition among the company's four divisional chiefs: D’Amaro; entertainment co-chairs Dana Walden and Alan Bergman; and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro.
D’Amaro's potential ascent underscores the critical financial importance of Disney's global parks and consumer products business. A company veteran since 1998, he rose through the ranks of the resorts division, holding key leadership posts in California, Florida, and Hong Kong. In his current role, he is directing an ambitious $60 billion expansion of Disney's physical footprint worldwide and recently championed the company's $1.5 billion investment in video game powerhouse Epic Games.
The timing of the announcement is under scrutiny. While Disney has publicly stated its intention to name a successor by early 2026, with its annual shareholder meeting scheduled for March 18, sources indicate the board may act sooner. The decision carries significant weight as Disney navigates challenges in its traditional television business, the evolution of its streaming strategy, and ongoing activist investor pressure.
Reaction & Analysis:
"This is a logical, if safe, choice," said Michael Torres, a media analyst at Crestwood Advisors. "D’Amaro runs the division that prints money. His operational expertise and deep understanding of the consumer experience are assets, but the real test will be his vision for the entire portfolio, especially the future of linear TV and streaming profitability."
"Promoting from within the parks division feels like a retreat to the core, a bet on what's working now rather than a transformative vision for the future," commented Sarah Chen, a professor of media studies. "It signals that Disney's immediate priority is shoring up its financial bedrock, which is prudent, but it leaves questions about creative direction for the studios."
"Absolutely the right call!" exclaimed David Riggs, a longtime Disney shareholder and founder of the fan blog "Main Street Memories." "Josh gets it. He understands the magic isn't just in movies; it's in the parks, the merchandise, the total experience. After the Chapek disaster, we need a leader who respects the brand's legacy and its fans. Iger 2.0, but with a sharper focus on the bottom line."
"So the board's grand solution is to put the theme park guy in charge?" criticized Elena Vance, a columnist for The Media Digest. "This reeks of complacency. Disney's problems are in streaming, in a crumbling studio slate, in a confused identity. Handing the keys to the guy who builds more roller coasters and buys stakes in video game companies is a profound failure of imagination. It's doubling down on the past while the future of content consumption is being rewritten."
The company is scheduled to report its fiscal first-quarter earnings, which will likely provide the backdrop for any official announcement.