American media executive; two-time Disney CEO, reshaping media and technology
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 announced memorandums with six Wall Street firms to assemble about $500 billion to finance AI infrastructure — data centres, GPU clusters and related compute — for customers that lack cash or credit. Executives are pitching compute as an investable asset class while analysts warn depreciation risk and competition from China could erode collateral value.
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, saying the FCC under President Donald Trump has threatened his show and ABC affiliates. ABC and Disney have sued the FCC over early licence reviews and new guidance on equal-time rules; other late-night hosts have moved candidate interviews online.
US private equity firm Clearlake Capital has moved close to buying Todd Boehly and Mark Walter’s stakes in Chelsea, valuing the club at about £5bn. The deal follows Mark Walter’s attempt to raise cash to repay insurers amid a US federal tax-fraud investigation; Clearlake already controls day-to-day operations and will obtain full ownership if partners consent.
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.
Starbucks has been working with advisers on a potential takeover of Chipotle, a move that would create a restaurant powerhouse. Nicolas Niccol’s return to Chipotle’s former helm connects leadership to a high-stakes expansion plan, but analysts say the deal would be costly and complex amid divergent supply chains and current turnarounds at both chains. The market has reacted with volatility in Chipotle and Starbucks shares.
The Lakers sale has moved closer as Kushner and Iger finalize terms; outer terms have been agreed amid investor interest and ongoing board approvals.