Disney Entertainment and ESPN chief technology officer, Aaron LaBerge, has announced that he will be leaving the company. LaBerge cited family reasons for his departure and will remain with Disney until June 2024. After that, he will move to PENN Entertainment to serve as the company’s CTO, focusing on ESPN Bet.
In an internal memo shared with staff and reported by The Wrap, LaBerge explained that his decision was personal and driven by the needs of his family. He expressed confidence in the team and leadership at Disney, promising to work on a smooth transition before his departure.
During his time at Disney, LaBerge played a key role in the development of Disney’s streaming services and the integration of advertising into Disney+. He was also involved in the merger of Hulu and Disney+. He described Disney as his home, inspiration and a significant part of his life, both personally and professionally.
Disney’s top executives, including ESPN president Jimmy Pitar and co-chairmen of Disney entertainment Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, expressed their gratitude to Laberge for his more than 20 years of contributions to the company. They noted that his transition to PENN Entertainment will continue to benefit Disney and ESPN.
Following LaBerge’s departure, Chris Lawson, EVP of content platforms and operations at Disney Entertainment and ESPN, will serve as interim chief technology officer while the company searches for a permanent replacement for the CTO position. Senior management at Disney expressed confidence in Lawson and the rest of the team to navigate this change and continue the company’s success.