Disney Taps Two Former Executives to Plot Sale of ESPN Stake

Walt Disney Co. asked Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, two executives once in the running to replace Bob Iger as chief executive officer, to help it evaluate strategic partners for its ESPN sports networks.

Mayer, Disney’s former head of global strategy who oversaw some of the company’s most high-profile acquisitions, and Staggs, Disney’s former chief financial officer and theme-parks chief, will consult with ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro on developing and analyzing partners for the business, the company said.

Iger said that Disney was seeking a strategic partner for ESPN in an interview on CNBC earlier this month. Pitaro later ...