James 'Jimmy' Pitaro

Notable work and positions

ESPN - Chairman

Biography

James 'Jimmy' Pitaro is chairman of ESPN, a position he has held since February 2023, responsible for full operational and financial leadership of one of The Walt Disney Company's three core business segments. He graduated from Cornell University in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in consumer economics and housing, where he played football for the Cornell Big Red, and earned his Juris Doctor from St. John's University Law School in 1994. Early in his career he worked at Yahoo's media division, rising to head of Sports & Entertainment and then vice president of media, earning a spot on Sports Business Journal's 'Forty Under 40' list. He joined The Walt Disney Company in 2010 as co-president of Disney Interactive, later serving as chairman of Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media beginning in February 2016. He was named ESPN president and co-chair of Disney Media Networks in March 2018, then chairman of ESPN and Sports Content in October 2020, before his 2023 elevation to full chairman. Under his leadership, ESPN has overseen programming including Monday Night Football, an award-winning documentary The Last Dance, and the 2025 launch of ESPN's direct-to-consumer streaming service.

Career highlights

• Chairman, ESPN Since February 2023 · Oversees ESPN's global sports content, products, and distribution as one of Disney's three core business segments.
• President, ESPN 2018-2020.
• Launch of ESPN's direct-to-consumer streaming service 2025.