Disney-DeSantis Fight Tests Boundaries of Corporate ESG Push

The Walt Disney Co. lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is being closely watched by companies as a harbinger of how far government officials can go to rein in corporate environmental, social and governance strategies.

Disney is alleging the Republican governor retaliated against the company for its opposition to a state law which broadly prohibits classroom instruction of sexual orientation or gender identity, in an April 26 lawsuit. DeSantis sought to exert control over the special-purpose land use contract the company uses for its sprawling Disney World resort in response to the company’s criticism.

The legal battle ...