Disney and ESPN CTO Aaron LaBerge to Exit, Will Become Chief Technology Officer of Sports-Betting Company Penn Entertainment

Aaron LaBerge, president and CTO of Disney Entertainment and ESPN, will leave the company this summer after a cumulative total of more than 20 years, after which he will join casino and sports-betting operator Penn Entertainment as chief technology officer.

In a note to Disney staff Monday, LaBerge said he made a personal decision to leave the company to devote more time to his family as they go through a challenging period. (Read the memo below.)

At Disney, LaBerge has been responsible for leading all technology and product development in support of Disney’s two media divisions — Disney Entertainment and ESPN — including the teams that build and run Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. In the role, he has helped set the vision and strategic leadership for how the company uses technology to drive its business. LaBerge reports to Disney Entertainment co-chairs Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, as well as ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro.

After he leaves Disney in June, he will start as Penn Entertainment’s CTO effective July 1, 2024, and report directly to Penn CEO and president Jay Snowden. Last summer, Penn entered into a major deal with ESPN to rebrand Penn’s online sports-betting business from Barstool Sportsbook to ESPN Bet.

“I’ll be joining the extended family at Penn Entertainment, working with Disney and ESPN on ESPN BET,” LaBerge wrote in the memo. “This new role is exciting because I’ll get to continue to contribute to our company’s success from a new vantage point, while also being home for my family.”

Disney said a search is underway to find a replacement for LaBerge. As part of the transition plan, Chris Lawson, currently executive VP of content operations for Disney Entertainment and ESPN (and one of LaBerge’s direct reports) will work alongside LaBerge over the coming months and take on interim leadership as needed upon LaBerge’s departure.

Penn’s Snowden commented, “We are thrilled to have someone of Aaron’s caliber join our Penn executive team. Having overseen a global organization of thousands of engineers, product developers, designers, technologists and data scientists that created some of the largest-scale and most successful media properties in the world, there is no better candidate to lead our Technology and Interactive division into its future.”

Between 2007 and 2012, LaBerge was co-founder and CEO of Fanzter, a venture-funded consumer software and digital product development company, before he rejoined ESPN in 2013. Prior to Fanzter, he served as SVP of technology and product development for ESPN and before that was VP of technology and business operations in the Walt Disney Internet Group.

Read the memo from LaBerge:

Subject: Leadership News

Team,

I wanted to share some personal news: this summer, after more than 20 incredible years, I’ve decided to leave The Walt Disney Company.

This was a personal decision, driven by the needs of my family. I’m working with Alan, Dana, and Jimmy to plan a smooth transition, and I’ll be here until the end of June to help ensure a seamless handoff that positions everyone for continued success.

I’ve never been more confident in our team and leadership. Together, we’ll navigate this change without missing a beat, continuing to build on the significant progress we’ve made over the past 15 months.

Chris Lawson will be working closely with me in the coming months, stepping into an interim leadership role upon my departure until a permanent leader is in place. Many of you know Chris as an exceptional technology leader with a deep understanding of our operations and businesses. He has been instrumental in our technology transformation and is a trusted partner to our business leaders.

My journey with Disney doesn’t end here. I’ll be joining the extended family at PENN Entertainment, working with Disney and ESPN on ESPN BET. This new role is exciting because I’ll get to continue to contribute to our company’s success from a new vantage point, while also being home for my family.

Disney is more than just a company to me; it’s been my home, my inspiration, and a part of the most rewarding chapters of my life, both personally and professionally. The true magic of Disney isn’t just in our stories or our technology but in each of you. Your passion, creativity, and brilliance have made my journey unforgettable.

Over the coming weeks, we will share more details about this transition and the way forward. Until then, let’s stay focused on the future and continue to build, innovate, and deliver.

All my best,
Aaron