S8 Ep142: Disney and ESPN: Running a Blue Company in a Red State — Charles Gasparino — Gasparino analyzes the radicalization of the Walt Disney Company, noting that CEO Bob Iger brought progressive cu

Disney and ESPN: Running a Blue Company in a Red State — Charles Gasparino — Gasparino analyzes the radicalization of the Walt Disney Company, noting that CEO Bob Iger brought progressive cultural affinities while the company maintained profitability. His successor, Bob Chapek, initially navigated the challenge of running a "blue company in a red state" (Florida) by remaining publicly neutral regarding cultural controversies with Governor Ron DeSantis. Internal organizational pressure from Iger forced Chapek to publicly oppose DeSantis's legislation, resulting in Disney forfeiting special taxing authorities and Chapek's subsequent removal. ESPN similarly suffered audience erosion following politicization, exemplified by broadcaster Sage Steele's controversial heterodox commentary. 1957