People throughout Disney and the entertainment industry are wondering how much longer 66-year-old Chair & CEO BOB IGER will "keep his grip on the company," as the question of who his successor will be is "more uncertain than it has been for nearly a decade," according to a front-page piece by Ben Fritz of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. Several sources close to Iger believe that he "simply doesn’t want to retire yet, despite stating repeatedly that he intends to." A contract extension signed in March "runs through July 2, 2019." Disney's BOD and investors "seem happy" to back Iger for "as long as he wants to stay." For 12 years he has led the company with "such hands-on attention that he and Disney now seem inseparable to many employees and outside partners." Iger's "ever-extending leadership might be just what Disney needs to keep thriving where it is strong and solve problems looming on the horizon, such as declines in viewership at ESPN and the company’s other television networks." Sources said that in private circles, Iger has "discussed possibly running for office, serving in a Democratic presidential administration or spending time on a sailboat he is building." Another source close to Iger said that he "wanted to retire" in '18 but "felt he had to stay longer after the plan" for former Disney COO TOM STAGGS to succeed him failed. Sources said that Disney's BOD is now "focused on hiring or promoting someone directly into the CEO job, rather than an evaluation or training period as operating chief." Iger is also "leading the charge to figure out a new digital future for profit machine ESPN." Sources said that solving the ESPN problem is a "top priority" for Iger (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 5/17).
