In a disclosure filed with the SEC it was revealed that Disney CEO Bob Iger saw himself getting a 30% pay increase in 2024. The result was a pay package for Iger that totaled $41 million. Most of the pay came in the form of stocks and other options. His base salary was $1 million.
The 2024 pay package for Iger was in contrast to the $31.6 million that he earned in 2023. In that year, most of the pay came in the form of stock and option awards. Iger is currently contracted to stay with Disney through 2026.
This is Iger’s second stint as CEO of The Walt Disney Company. It is expected to end in 2026. The new Chairman of the Board for Disney, James Gorman, shared that finding a new CEO is a top priority.
“A critical priority before us is to appoint a new CEO, which we now expect to announce in early 2026. This timing reflects the progress the Succession Planning Committee and the Board are making, and will allow ample time for a successful transition before the conclusion of Bob Iger’s contract in December 2026,” Gorman said.
In his first annual shareholder letter, Gorman reinforced this goal. “As Chair of the Succession Planning Committee, I am focused on managing our succession process, and we have continued to make strong progress over the last year,” Gorman wrote. “In response to shareholder feedback, I was pleased to share an update on our expected timing to announce a CEO successor in early 2026. The full Board is engaged in and committed to finding the right leader for the Company and we are planning for a smooth leadership transition that will enable Disney’s continued success.”
Along with Iger’s pay package, the pay of other top executives was shared as well. This included CFO Hugh Johnston, who earned a pay package that totaled $24.5 million. Chief legal and compliance officer Horacio Guttierez brought home 15.8 million.
Most of the pay comes in the form of stock and options. Because of this, the take-home packages can vary based on the company’s success. Disney shared that Iger’s payment reflected a reward earned by the successes at the box office, reaching profitability with Disney’s streaming services, and engaging with fans at D23: The Official Disney Fan Event.
