Bob Iger Is Criticized for This One Thing...But He's Not the First Disney CEO to Do It

Since returning to Disney in November 2022, CEO Bob Iger has had to contend with quite a bit of criticism about his leadership.

Iger has been accused of pushing a “woke agenda,” along with having to face another proxy battle against one of his biggest adversaries, and was even criticized for his comments on Disney’s poor results at the box office in 2023. Although Iger gets criticized for this one thing, in particular, he’s not the first Disney CEO to do it.

It hasn’t been an easy return to Disney for Bob Iger. When he first came back, he announced a few of his main priorities — one of which was to find and train a successor to replace him after his 2026 exit. It’s something he’s done at Disney once before, hand-picking Bob Chapek and championing him as his replacement — but we all know how that turned out.

After a few short years, Chapek was forced out in a coup led by the Disney Board who asked Iger to return. Later, we learned that Iger reportedly regretted picking Chapek as his successor, saying it was a mistake.

Not only that, but Chapek has regarded his time at Disney as “three years of hell,” saying he lived in “unrelenting fear” that Iger wanted his job back. That’s ultimately what ended up happening in November 2022.

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Iger stuck around Disney even after he gave up his crown — though wouldn’t give up his corner office — to help Chapek lead the company through the uncertainty that came with the COVID-19 pandemic and park closures. But it’s Iger’s unwillingness to fully give up control that may make it difficult for him to find a successor.

As it turns out, though, Iger isn’t the first Disney CEO who has been criticized for this very thing.

According to The Wall Street Journal, back when Iger first became CEO in 2006, his predecessor, Michael Eisner, also had trouble “leaving the stage,” something that bothered Iger at the time. Eisner denied that he mishandled Iger’s succession and later praised his performance as Disney’s leader.

But now it seems like Iger is the one struggling to give up the reins.

Former Disney Chief Financial Officer Gary Wilson told The Wall Street Journal, “Iger has systematically eliminated any executive who could become a successor. To me, it’s a real black mark on Iger’s record.” He’s likely referring to the multiple potential contenders for Iger’s successor who have left the company during his tenure.

Several people have been named as being on the shortlist of replacements, but the lack of clarity over succession has people worried. It’s possible Iger will have a hard time finding a successor who isn’t fearful they’ll end up like Chapek.

Ultimately, though, it doesn’t seem like Iger is any closer to choosing a successor than when he first walked back in the door. We haven’t heard any recent updates about the Succession Planning Committee — though, hopefully, that means they’re busy trying to find Iger’s replacement.