Bob Iger replaced the former Disney CEO Bob Chapek on November 20, 2022, as he re-joined The Walt Disney Company after two years of his retirement. The executive retired from his position at Disney in 2020, after which the board of directors named Bob Chapek as the new CEO. Iger, however, continued to be the executive chairman. In December 2021, Bob Iger stepped down completely from his position and left the company.
During his 15 years as the CEO, Disney became one of the most successful media and entertainment companies in the world. He has agreed to be the CEO for the next two years. and seems like he has already started planning to bring Disney to the top once again.
Bob Iger Reportedly Planning to Sell The Walt Disney
Under Bob Iger’s leadership, Disney became one of the most reputable companies in America and in the world. Disney acquired Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox under his leadership. Considering that he took the company to new heights many predicted that his return would bring more substantial changes to Disney.
However, an insider has claimed that the executive has come up with his own way to get to the top. According to a report from The Wrap, an insider has claimed that Bob Iger is planning to sell Disney to Apple. “This is the pinnacle deal for the ultimate dealmaker,” the insider told The Wrap.
The insider claimed that he would conclude his tenure by selling Disney. He also revealed that if the offer is made he would accept it. “I think he’d welcome it — he’d be the last CEO of Disney,” the unnamed insider revealed.
The insider then said that he had worked for Iger before, and revealed that this merger could be beneficial for Disney. Apple and Disney have not said anything about the news yet.
Bob Iger Has Always Wanted Disney to Merge with Apple
One of the things Bob Iger was not able to do as the CEO of Disney, was its merger with Apple. The businessman has mentioned several times that Apple and Disney would have merged under Steve Jobs. He also called himself a close friend of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. However, he was not able to discuss the merger with him.
Earlier in 2021, while talking to CNBC, Iger said that the Apple co-founder appreciated “the benefits of combining “great technology” with “great creativity.” Bob Iger also said “I’m pretty convinced we would have had that discussion. … I think we would have gotten there.”
Iger also talked about the potential merger in his memoir ‘The Ride of a Lifetime.‘ And there have been multiple rumors about Apple planning to buy Disney. However, nothing such has happened so far.
And as the insider told The Wrap that Apple and Disney have similar brand identities, the merger could be beneficial for both of them, Bob Iger may once again give it a thought.
Iger’s return already seems profitable for the company, as Disney’s stock price spiked by 6.3 percent. And the CEO may have some exclusive plans to bring Disney back to the top. For now, the CEO has not revealed any such plans for the future of the company.
Source: The Wrap
