Disney CEO’s compensation increases to $45.8 million

Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Bob Iger, who soon will begin winding down his two-decade tenure leading the company, collected $45.8 million in compensation last year — an 11% bump from the prior year.

- BY MEG JAMES AND SAMANTHA MASUNAGA

JAY L. CLENDENIN Los Angeles Times

DISNEY'S board is preparing to pick a new leader to replace Bob Iger, whose contract ends in December.

In 2024, Iger was paid $41 million in compensation.

Disney released its corporate executive compensation packages Thursday, as the board prepares for its high-wire act of picking a new leader to replace Iger, whose contract ends in December.

“Management succession planning remains a top priority for the board, reflecting its importance to business continuity and long-term shareholder value,” Disney Chairman James Gorman wrote in a letter to shareholders. He noted the board’s succession committee has been evaluating the various candidates and that the full board would soon determine who will become the next CEO.

Four internal candidates have been vying for the job, including the parks boss, Josh D’Amaro, top television and streaming executive Dana Walden, movie studio head Alan Bergman and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro.

Unlike six years ago when the board made its last CEO switch, Disney’s board tightened up the succession process by establishing a dedicated committee headed by Gorman, the former head of investment bank Morgan Stanley.