American media executive; former Disney CEO, currently advisor and influencer in entertainment deals and strategy.
Fifa has proposed creating a $20 billion subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise, to run the World Cup and other events, with external investors able to buy up to 20% stakes. Fifa would retain control and use capital to fund development, while reacting to European football bodies’ criticism that this risks the game’s soul.
FIFA plans to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to run the World Cup and related events, offering up to 20% stake to external investors. The move has drawn swift criticism from UEFA, Concacaf and other bodies for governance concerns and lack of consultation, while FIFA argues the plan would unlock billions for global football development.
Disney’s experiences division has posted near $10 billion in quarterly revenue, a 10% year-over-year rise, driven by strong domestic attendance and promotions across parks and a recently expanded cruise fleet. Executives say marketing and new rides are fueling demand amid macro uncertainty.
Disney is exploring a free, ad-supported streaming tier to widen reach and boost ad revenue, while noting no near-term launch. The company cites a price-sensitive audience and higher ad inventory as catalysts for growth.
Nvidia has enlisted six Wall Street firms to finance a $500 billion buildout of AI infrastructure, treating compute as a new asset class. The plan centers on financing data centers and GPU clusters for customers unable to pay upfront, with OpenAI-related projects and neoclouds in focus. Executives cite long-term value and revenue generation, while cautions focus on depreciation risk and China’s potential price competition.
Bob Iger and Josh Kushner have agreed to buy the Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter in a transaction valuing the franchise at about $12.5 billion. The sale has been announced this week, requires approval from the NBA Board of Governors and is subject to due diligence and Kushners divestment of a Miami Heat stake.
TWG Global faces federal investigations into affiliated-party loans across its insurers, prompting questions about liquidity and potential impacts on its sports assets, including the Dodgers and Lakers. The company denies fraud and reiterates that its major franchises are not for sale, as regulators review financing and related transactions.
The Buss siblings are contesting the sale of the Lakers while Joey and Jesse Buss have secured a minority stake in the San Diego Padres. Jeanie Buss argues the sale is void, citing fiduciary concerns. The ownership shift unfolds as the Padres deal brackets a broader family-dynasty moment in Southern California sports.
Buss siblings vote to sell Lakers stake; Jeanie Buss seeks court order to block the sale and preserve her governance role. The dispute centers on a 17.8% family stake valued at about $12.5 billion, with legal fights looming over fiduciary duties and 2017 court orders.
Josh Kushner has issued his first public statement on the collapsed FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, saying he still supports its aims but would not have invested had he known how the process would unfold. UEFA has filed US court papers seeking document production and depositions from Kushner and Thrive as it prepares possible criminal mismanagement claims against FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
UEFA has escalated pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino after revealing a criminal mismanagement complaint in Switzerland related to a failed bid to sell future World Cup profits to private investors. The move follows a broader backlash from FIFA member bodies amid concerns over a $4.2 billion investment plan that would have paid out to federations. Infantino has not indicated he will step down, and election remains scheduled for March 2027.
Jimmy Kimmel has said he will post his interview with Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico to YouTube rather than air it on ABC, accusing the Federal Communications Commission under President Donald Trump of threatening his show and local ABC affiliates. ABC and parent company Disney have sued the FCC over early licence reviews and new equal-time guidance.
Chelsea Football Club's ownership moves to full control by Clearlake Capital as Todd Boehly and Mark Walter exit their stakes. Wyss remains a stakeholder; Chelsea reiterates no change to day-to-day operations while pursuing long-term sporting and infrastructure ambitions.
Disney has named Karandeep Anand, former CEO of Character.AI, as its first chief technology officer. He will oversee enterprise technology, infrastructure, data and AI platforms, reporting to CEO Josh D'Amaro. The move follows a rocky relationship with Character.AI and signals Disney’s renewed focus on technology to support storytelling and the company-wide One Disney initiative.
New ownership has outlined aggressive plans to lift the Lakers’ value to $30 billion within a decade, backed by higher ticketing, media rights and international growth. The sale from the Buss family to Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger has triggered a valuation surge and renewed speculation about the franchise’s long-term health.
Chapek describes his Disney exit as a deliberate undermining by his predecessor Bob Iger, and recounts the board’s role, Iger’s return to the helm, and the ensuing financial and strategic strains on Disney through the pandemic and after.
Disney has launched another round of staff reductions, with hundreds of layoffs concentrated in human resources and technology amid CEO Josh D’Amaro’s push to consolidate divisions and reduce costs. The move follows earlier rounds and underscores a broader strategy to streamline operations and invest in growth. The company is also reorganizing its TV and entertainment units to align with a streaming-driven strategy.