Disney CEO: Wildest Betting Odds Revealed!

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The search for a successor to Bob Iger as CEO of Disney is once more active, and though there’s much speculation in Hollywood about who might fill the position, we’re choosing to focus on enjoying our vacation in Antigua.

To some extent, the outcome of this situation is largely unpredictable – recall when Tom Staggs seemed certain to take over? – so instead of dissecting today’s entertainment news for hints about who might be leading the race for succession, let us briefly consult with the experts in betting. The Hollywood Reporter sought the opinion of BetOnline.ag, a sports book based in Antigua, offering an outsider’s perspective on who will claim the throne in the television and film industry next.

Though gamblers think differently, BetOnline.ag handicapped the race through the usual research.

As a gamer, I’m always on the lookout for fresh, off-the-beaten-path talent. Dave Mason, BetOnline’s brand manager, emphasized that internal candidates are readily available, but the key lies in thorough investigation to find creators whose work transcends mainstream popularity. He noted that the gaming industry is fiercely competitive nowadays, so it’s crucial for us to stay updated on current trends while maintaining Disney’s unique brand identity at the forefront.

Yet, it’s a gamble, and Mason is aware that his chances have deviated in the past. Similarly, experts in the field, whom Mason thinks he can surpass in prediction, have also had their share of miscalculations.

Mason stated that bookmakers are more reliable indicators than experts because, in essence, when we make mistakes, we risk losing money, whereas experts do not face such financial consequences.

Well, Dave, investors do.

According to BetOnline, the favored candidate for the next CEO of Disney remains unchanged, despite a shift in her political influence. Dana Walden (2/1), co-chair of Disney Entertainment, is a strong contender and seems to be the preferred choice. However, some speculate that if Kamala Harris were to lose in 2024, it could potentially impact Walden’s chances in 2026, as Disney is expected to announce its new CEO by then. Walden and Harris have been friends for a long time, and having a close associate of Harris in the CEO position at Disney might cause issues if there were tension between them in the White House. This may seem far-fetched, but it’s worth noting that Disney is currently dealing with enough challenges from Republican lawmakers at the state level—additional federal conflicts are unnecessary.

Josh D’Amaro, the head of Disney Parks, is currently ranked slightly higher than Jimmy Pitaro, who leads ESPN. Given their positions, it’s not surprising that they have a close relationship, despite past circumstances not favoring either Venu (for Pitaro) or Bob Chapek when Iger previously named a parks executive as his successor…

directly behind Pitaro stands Alan Bergman, who is also a co-chair at Disney Entertainment. While Walden might be likened to the literary figure of Thoreau, known as Walden, Bergman is more similar in his role within films. However, unlike Walden, who joined Disney in 2019 with most of Fox, Bergman has been part of Disney for a longer time and also has experience as a Chief Financial Officer. With odds of 9/2 set by the bookmaker, investing in Bergman doesn’t seem like an unwise decision (Please note that this is not betting advice).

It’s worth mentioning that all the favorites for the oddsmakers are candidates who are currently employed by the company. Historically, this has been the norm, but it’s become increasingly pronounced recently. Previously, BetOnline offered odds of -150 (bet $150 to win $100) that the person taking Iger’s seat would be an internal Disney employee. However, their odds have since changed drastically to -500 (bet $500 to win $100). To clarify for those unfamiliar with betting terminology, this means that you would need to wager $500 in order to profit $100 due to the overwhelming support for “internal” over “external.” The maximum bet on these propositions is $250, so the most potential profit from the new line is $50.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but appreciate the immense reverence for the Disney brand, felt both within and beyond its walls. It’s tempting to stick with what we know, but given the fierce competition in the streaming realm, complacency is not an option. This market is intriguing indeed! – Mason’s perspective.

Here is a direct link to place bets.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve got some exciting news to share about BetOnline’s potential new candidate for a top position – Ted Sarandos, the co-CEO of Netflix! His odds have shifted from 12/1 to 8/1, making many speculate about his possible interest. While it seems intriguing that a streaming-focused company like BetOnline would want someone like Sarandos, he’s been adamant in denying any interest in the role. In fact, during a recent interview, he joked that he’d rather run ‘Saturday Night Live’ than Disney! It just goes to show how captivating and dynamic the world of streaming entertainment can be.

The reasoning behind Sarandos potentially being interested might go something like this: As co-CEO of Netflix, Ted has already demonstrated everything that can be demonstrated. However, sharing the CEO title might not sit well with him, considering he once held this position jointly with Reed Hastings and now also shares it with Greg Peters. Unlike Sarandos, who has been instrumental in shaping Netflix’s direction, Peters is a seasoned tech executive at the streaming platform and is the latest to share the top position with Ted.

From a certain perspective, Disney should hold appeal for Sarandos. It possesses intellectual property that Netflix, up until now, has struggled to amass – an abundance of it. Moreover, Disney operates real parks, not just shopping malls. To excel in the streaming arena where Netflix dominates, Disney’s future lies in surpassing Netflix at their own game. Why settle for being a co-CEO who obstructs progress when you can be the CEO who achieves it?

In a surprising turn of events, Brian Robbins, who previously formed one-third of Paramount Global’s “Office of the CEO” in the film studio division, has seen his odds shift significantly according to experts. Essentially, roles appear to have been reversed between Robbins and Sarandos: Robbins was initially given 8-to-1 odds but is now at 12-to-1.

Robbins is expected to leave Paramount once the Skydance deal is finalized, which could make him available for new opportunities in the near future. However, some may question the need to bring in someone like Robbins when Bergman is already serving as co-CEO. Is a third co-CEO more qualified to lead Disney than a two-person board chairman? This is a debate that industry experts and analysts can agree on.

Andrew Wilson, in his role as CEO at Electronic Arts, holds a significant position – he’s the first tie on the board. Unlike Disney, which has some interest in gaming, it doesn’t currently possess the same level of influence or dominance that Electronic Arts does. According to BetOnline’s odds, the value might not be as promising right now (Please note this is not financial advice).

As a gamer, I’d like to speak directly to David Zaslav, the fellow who’s mentioned in our current situation with a hefty 16/1 ratio. Now, Zaslav isn’t exactly boring, but he does have a significant presence in the TV and movie industry.

However, let’s be real, if we’re talking about shedding a $40 billion debt load, that’s no small feat! But hey, if you can leave it behind, who am I to argue?

The issue here is that some folks perceive Zaslav as not being too friendly towards creators. Now, he’s argued against this through PR and big-ticket movie deals, but that’s a reputation that could potentially harm someone else, like Chapek for instance.

Moreover, if Walt Disney Company shareholders take one look at the WBD stock price, I’d wager they’ll probably give it a hard pass.

James Gorman, previously the chair of Morgan Stanley and currently spearheading the search for his successor, is listed at long odds of 50/1. It’s quite a journey, one might think, only to select yourself for such a position. Although it has happened before, Gorman already faces enough challenges in attempting to secure another person as Disney’s CEO. Interestingly, Gorman, Walden, D’Amaro, Pitaro, and Bergman all sit on Disney’s board, making it difficult to envision this wager resulting in a payout.

Gorman isn’t the underdog in this scenario; let’s delve into the realm of high-risk gamblers. It’s not that you’re a reckless bettor if you wager on Elon Musk at 150/1, but it’s safe to say you’re not an expert. The alternative to multiplying your money by 150 times is Tim Burton, who initially worked as a Disney animator and later directed 10 films for Disney. However, only someone naive or overly optimistic would consider placing that bet.

Mason explained to decision to go there.

From one perspective, becoming Disney’s CEO could be a highly desirable position due to certain aspects, but it also comes with its own set of challenges, much like holding a potentially dangerous cup. This is partly because of Disney’s recent box office flop with ‘Snow White’. To counteract this, we felt the need to introduce individuals who are bold and willing to take calculated risks into the industry. As a publicly traded company, Disney faces additional pressure, so it’s crucial to strike a balance between financial success, quality, and content.

Here are the full odds BetOnline gave to THR of the Disney CEO succession race:

Here are the names listed in a more conversational and easy-to-read format:

Dana Walden is at position 2 on the list.
Josh D’Amaro is at position 7, with a +350 advantage.
Jimmy Pitaro is at position 4.
Alan Bergman is at position 9, with a +450 advantage.
Ted Sarandos is at position 8, with an odds of 8 to 1.
Brian Robbins is at position 12, with odds of 12 to 1.
Andrew Wilson is also at position 12, with odds of 12 to 1.
Mark Woodbury is at position 16, with odds of 16 to 1.
David Zaslav is at position 16, with odds of 16 to 1.
Jim Morris is at position 16, with odds of 16 to 1.
Sean Clarke is at position 16, with odds of 16 to 1.
Michael Ouweleen is at position 25, with odds of 25 to 1.
Francisco Ramos is at position 33, with odds of 33 to 1.
John Lasseter is at position 33, with odds of 33 to 1.
Genndy Tartakovsky is at position 40, with odds of 40 to 1.
James Gorman is at position 50, with odds of 50 to 1.
Elon Musk is at position 150, with odds of 150 to 1.
Tim Burton is also at position 150, with odds of 150 to 1.

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2025-04-29 19:25