Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this edition of SBJ On Stage, we revisit a conversation between Bob Iger and Jimmy Pitaro from SBJ’s 2025 CAA World Congress of Sports.
The conversation takes on added relevance considering Iger and Josh Kushner’s pending acquisition of the Los Angeles Lakers in a record-breaking transaction. Plus, as the industry reflects on the one-year anniversary of ESPN's direct-to-consumer service, listeners can evaluate many of the predictions, priorities, and strategic themes discussed between Iger and Pitaro.
SBJ’s managing director, Dan Kaufman, and Jump’s CEO & co-founder, Jordy Leiser, add additional context and commentary.
Whether you're hearing this conversation for the first time or revisiting it with fresh perspective, it offers a fascinating snapshot of two influential executives discussing the future of sports, media and technology.
🔔Subscribe to SBJ on YouTube: bit.ly/41bbXaV
🔔 Sign up for our FREE newsletter, SBJ 360. Get a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry delivered to your inbox each weekday: bit.ly/4eCzx8C
#sportsmedia #ESPN #Disney #sportstech #sportsbiz
00:00 New Context: Why Revisit Iger & Pitaro Now?
01:07 Setting the Scene at World Congress of Sports 2025
02:11 What Aged Best: Angel City, DTC and Leadership
02:54 A 15-Year Partnership Between Iger and Pitaro
03:18 Iger's 2015 Media Predictions Revisited
05:16 Bob Iger's Sports Roots and ABC Sports Career
08:21 Why Sports Is Central to Disney's Future
10:07 ESPN's Rights Strategy and Value to Leagues
11:08 Technology as Disney's Competitive Advantage
13:45 Angel City FC and the Rise of Women's Sports
17:21 Winning the Next Generation of Sports Fans
20:42 How Disney and ESPN Built Their Streaming Foundation
24:32 "Disrupt Yourself": Managing the Streaming Transition
27:19 Serving Fans Across Cable and Streaming
28:44 The Roadmap for ESPN's Direct-to-Consumer Future
29:57 Inside ESPN's New Streaming Strategy and App Experience
32:38 Mentors, Leadership Lessons and Career Advice
33:55 Lightning Round: Yankees, Beatles and Sports Memories
36:34 Post-Conversation Analysis: Technology as the Through Line
37:52 Why Sports Remains the Ultimate Live Product
38:42 The Real Significance of ESPN Going Direct-to-Consumer
39:34 What "Disrupt Yourself" Means for Sports Business Leaders
41:04 Leadership Traits Shared by Iger and Pitaro
42:30 The Biggest Takeaway: Thinking Bigger Than the Next Quarter
43:31 Closing Thoughts on ESPN, the Lakers and What's Next
In this edition of SBJ On Stage, we revisit a conversation between Bob Iger and Jimmy Pitaro from SBJ’s 2025 CAA World Congress of Sports.
The conversation takes on added relevance considering Iger and Josh Kushner’s pending acquisition of the Los Angeles Lakers in a record-breaking transaction. Plus, as the industry reflects on the one-year anniversary of ESPN's direct-to-consumer service, listeners can evaluate many of the predictions, priorities, and strategic themes discussed between Iger and Pitaro.
SBJ’s managing director, Dan Kaufman, and Jump’s CEO & co-founder, Jordy Leiser, add additional context and commentary.
Whether you're hearing this conversation for the first time or revisiting it with fresh perspective, it offers a fascinating snapshot of two influential executives discussing the future of sports, media and technology.
🔔Subscribe to SBJ on YouTube: bit.ly/41bbXaV
🔔 Sign up for our FREE newsletter, SBJ 360. Get a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry delivered to your inbox each weekday: bit.ly/4eCzx8C
#sportsmedia #ESPN #Disney #sportstech #sportsbiz
00:00 New Context: Why Revisit Iger & Pitaro Now?
01:07 Setting the Scene at World Congress of Sports 2025
02:11 What Aged Best: Angel City, DTC and Leadership
02:54 A 15-Year Partnership Between Iger and Pitaro
03:18 Iger's 2015 Media Predictions Revisited
05:16 Bob Iger's Sports Roots and ABC Sports Career
08:21 Why Sports Is Central to Disney's Future
10:07 ESPN's Rights Strategy and Value to Leagues
11:08 Technology as Disney's Competitive Advantage
13:45 Angel City FC and the Rise of Women's Sports
17:21 Winning the Next Generation of Sports Fans
20:42 How Disney and ESPN Built Their Streaming Foundation
24:32 "Disrupt Yourself": Managing the Streaming Transition
27:19 Serving Fans Across Cable and Streaming
28:44 The Roadmap for ESPN's Direct-to-Consumer Future
29:57 Inside ESPN's New Streaming Strategy and App Experience
32:38 Mentors, Leadership Lessons and Career Advice
33:55 Lightning Round: Yankees, Beatles and Sports Memories
36:34 Post-Conversation Analysis: Technology as the Through Line
37:52 Why Sports Remains the Ultimate Live Product
38:42 The Real Significance of ESPN Going Direct-to-Consumer
39:34 What "Disrupt Yourself" Means for Sports Business Leaders
41:04 Leadership Traits Shared by Iger and Pitaro
42:30 The Biggest Takeaway: Thinking Bigger Than the Next Quarter
43:31 Closing Thoughts on ESPN, the Lakers and What's Next
