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Disney Narrows CEO Search With Josh D’Amaro Reported as Front-Runner

The board is expected to choose an internal successor in early 2026 to allow a managed handover before Bob Iger departs at year-end.

Overview

  • The Wall Street Journal reports that Disney Experiences chief Josh D’Amaro is widely considered the leading candidate, with Disney Entertainment co-chair Dana Walden as his strongest rival.
  • After evaluating outsiders, the board now appears likely to promote from within, and Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson is not expected to get the job.
  • An announcement is targeted for early 2026, with the chosen executive set to work alongside Bob Iger during a transition before taking over when his contract ends in late 2026.
  • Reporting says D’Amaro wants video games to play a bigger role at Disney and he led the company’s $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games for a planned Fortnite collaboration.
  • To ensure stability during the changeover, Disney has extended contracts for several top executives into 2027–2029 and is preparing retention measures for others.