Aaron LaBerge, the chief technology officer for Disney Entertainment and ESPN, has announced that he will be leaving the company. LaBerge cited family reasons for his departure and will remain at Disney until June 2024. After that, he will transition to PENN Entertainment to work as the company’s CTO, focusing on ESPN Bet.
During his time at Disney, LaBerge played a crucial role in developing Disney’s streaming services and integrating advertising into Disney+. He was also involved in the merger of Hulu and Disney+. LaBerge described Disney as his home, inspiration, and a significant part of his life, both personally and professionally.
In an internal memo shared with staff and reported by The Wrap, LaBerge explained that his decision was personal and driven by the needs of his family. He expressed confidence in the team and leadership at Disney, promising to work on a smooth transition before his departure.
Disney’s top executives, including ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro and Disney Entertainment co-chairs Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, expressed their gratitude to LaBerge for his over 20 years of contributions to the company. They noted that his transition to PENN Entertainment would continue to benefit Disney and ESPN.
Following LaBerge’s departure, Chris Lawson, EVP of content platforms and operations at Disney Entertainment and ESPN, will serve as the interim tech executive while the company searches for a permanent replacement for the CTO position. The top leadership at Disney expressed confidence in Lawson and the rest of the team to navigate this change and continue the company’s success.
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