Disney Enlists Ex-Execs Tom Staggs, Kevin Mayer to Consult on ESPN Strategic Options
variety.comTodd Spangler NY Digital Editor Tom Staggs and Kevin Mayer, two former high-ranking Disney execs, are working for the Mouse House again — in a consulting capacity.
The duo, who are the co-CEOs of media-rollup play Candle Media, have been retained by Disney to help analyze and develop strategic options for ESPN, according to two sources familiar with the arrangement.
Staggs, formerly Disney’s chief operating officer, and Mayer, previously chairman of Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International and briefly CEO of TikTok, will work with Jimmy Pitaro, chairman, ESPN and Sports Content, on developing a plan for what Disney will do with ESPN going forward.
Sources noted that Staggs and Mayer will retain their roles at Candle Media. The news comes on the heels of Disney CEO Bob Iger’s comments in a July 13 CNBC interview that the company was looking for a strategic partner for ESPN.
Read more on variety.com
