Overview

• Justin Connolly, a 20-year Disney and ESPN veteran, has joined YouTube as global head of media and sports, overseeing major media partnerships and sports rights deals.
• Disney filed a lawsuit in California state court on May 21, 2025, claiming Connolly violated a three-year contract signed in November 2024 by taking the YouTube position.
• The lawsuit accuses YouTube of interfering in Connolly's contractual obligations and engaging in unfair competition, seeking an injunction to block his hiring.
• Connolly's appointment comes as YouTube aggressively expands its live-sports streaming portfolio, including a seven-year NFL Sunday Ticket deal and an exclusive game in Brazil for the 2025–26 season.
• YouTube has not commented on the lawsuit, and the outcome of Disney's injunction request remains unresolved.