Disney broadens CEO search to external candidates to find Bob Iger’s successor

Embattled media giant Disney is expanding its search for Bob Iger’s successor beyond the the walls of the Magic Kingdom, according to a new report. The Mouse House had been mulling a handful of internal candidates, but is now working with recruiters from search firm Heidrick & Struggles to conduct its review of external contenders for the top job, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. One possible successor from the outside is Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson, a name that has been consistently floated in recent years. Disney is reportedly opening its CEO search to external candidates as Bob Iger is set to retire from the role at the end of 2026. Variety via Getty Images The 50-year-old exec, who has served as EA chairman and CEO since 2013, has been in touch with Iger over the years. A source told The Post that Iger tried to get Wilson to run ESPN prior to Jimmy Pitaro’s appointment in 2018. “Iger is interested in him,” the source said. “He’s young. He tried to get him to run ESPN.” Prior to becoming CEO, Wilson served as executive vice president of EA Sports and Origin, where he led the global EA Sports business, as well as EA’s digital PC service. Explore More He also served as vice president and executive producer of all EA Sports’ FIFA games, growing it into one of the most popular video game franchises of all time. The search for Iger’s successor is being led by outgoing Morgan Stanley exec James Gorman, who will become chairman of Disney starting Jan. 2. He recently said that a successor to Iger will be announced in early 2026. Iger’s contract is set to expire at the end of 2026. He returned in 2022 after the disastrous tenure of his hand-picked choice’s contract. EA chairman and CEO Andrew Wilson is being considered for the top job at Disney. Sources said the exec has been in touch with Iger over the years. Bloomberg via Getty Images The Journal reported that Wilson held talks about selling EA to Disney during Chapek’s reign, but the negotiations didn’t lead to a deal. The consideration of Wilson comes as The Mouse House has made a push into the video game space after taking a $1.5 billion stake in “Fortnite” creator Epic Games. Aside from considering outsiders, Disney’s board is also evaluating four internal candidates: Disney Entertainment co-chairs Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, ESPN chairman Pitaro and Parks & Experiences chief Josh D’Amaro. It’s possible that Disney finds a way to bring in an outsider and elevate an internal candidate. Dana Walden is also a leading internal candidate for Iger’s job. Walden is the co-chairman of Disney Entertainment. AFP via Getty Images The Journal reported that Iger — who is laser-focused on picking a strong successor — has called Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos earlier this year, inquiring about the possibility of a dual CEO setup at Disney.  During WSJ’s Tech Live Conference in October, Sarandos said its “hard for me to recommend” a co-CEO model to a company like Disney. “I understand their business pretty well, but not their business structure,” Sarandos added at the time. Although it’s still early days, sources remarked to The Journal that Walden and D’Amaro have complimentary skill sets to run the business, as she is a TV exec who works closely with Hollywood talent and he is an operational guru with financial chops. Disney is expected to name a successor to Iger in early 2026. GC Images Replacing Iger — an exec who Gorman recently said has a “rare combination of extraordinarily good creative instincts with great business judgment” — will be tricky. Speaking at an October event for trade group the National Association of Corporate Directors, Gorman added that he understood why Disney wanted to keep Iger around so long. Iger has held the job since 2005 — with a two year gap — before returning to the role in 2022. “But people don’t last forever, so eventually you have to move,” Gorman concluded.