While Disney isn’t following in the footsteps of Fox Corp., which has its own betting platform, Fox Bet, it has held talks with a handful of betting operators about a partnership, multiple sources familiar with the matter confirm (Disney does own a small stake in DraftKings that it acquired from Fox). “We do believe that sports betting is a very significant opportunity for the company,” Chapek told analysts.
Two and a half years and a new CEO later, and the company has changed course. … But getting into the business of gambling, I rather doubt it.” That conservative approach continued throughout the remainder of Bob Iger’s tenure as Disney CEO, with the executive telling analysts during the company’s February 2019 earnings call: “I do think that there’s plenty of room, and ESPN has done some of this already and they may do more to provide information in coverage of sports. “It is something that we will be thoughtful about,” added Connor Schell, who at the time was ESPN’s head of content. Ike's Revenge? Ousted Marvel Mogul Looms As Disney Proxy Fight Heats Up
