Aaron LaBerge, the Chief Technology Officer for Disney Entertainment and ESPN, has announced his departure from the company to take up a new role at Penn Entertainment. The move, described by LaBerge as a "personal decision driven by the needs of my family," marks a significant transition for both Disney and LaBerge, as Disney continues to navigate a period of high-level executive changes.
LaBerge's career at Disney has been notable for his significant contributions to the company's technological advancements, particularly in the realm of streaming services. Under his leadership, Disney has made substantial strides in developing its streaming capabilities, including the integration of advertising into Disney+ and the unification of Hulu and Disney+ within a single streaming application launched last month.
At ESPN, LaBerge has been instrumental in overseeing the development of ESPN+, and the forthcoming sports streaming application set to launch in 2025, co-owned by Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox. His technological leadership has been crucial as ESPN adapts to the digital consumption trends shaping the sports broadcasting industry.
According to an internal memo, LaBerge will remain with Disney until June, ensuring a smooth transition. He will then join Penn Entertainment as CTO, where he will drive the technology strategy for the company's interactive division, including ESPN Bet, the licensed online sportsbook operated by the sports media giant.
Disney co-Chairmen Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, along with ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro, expressed their gratitude for LaBerge's contributions in a joint statement. "It is a silver lining that he will continue to help Disney and ESPN win, as he transitions to a role at PENN Entertainment - where he will be a key partner in the continued growth and success of ESPN BET and the rest of their Interactive business."
LaBerge's departure adds to a growing list of veteran Disney executives who have left the company in recent years, a list that includes high-profile names such as Bob Chapek, Kevin Mayer, Christine McCarthy, and Alan Horn. This turnover has sparked discussions about the future leadership of Disney, especially as speculation continues about the successor to CEO Bob Iger, whose contract is approaching its end.
The search for LaBerge's successor is already underway, with Chris Lawson, currently Disney's executive vice president of content operations, set to take over on an interim basis. Lawson, one of LaBerge's direct reports, will handle the transition and continue the technological initiatives LaBerge spearheaded.
LaBerge first joined Disney in the late 1990s as part of the company's acquisition of Starwave, a Paul Allen-founded company that initially partnered with ESPN before Disney's full acquisition in 1998. His journey with Disney has seen the intersection of technology and storytelling evolve dramatically, positioning the company at the forefront of digital innovation in entertainment.
