Disney technology executive Aaron LaBerge announces departure from company for personal reasons.

• Disney Entertainment CTO Aaron LaBerge is leaving the company after June.
• A search for his replacement is already underway.
• In recent years, Disney has experienced a brain drain of veteran executives, including LaBerge, who left for personal reasons.

According to an internal memo, Disney Entertainment and ESPN's chief technology officer, Aaron LaBerge, is departing the company.

LaBerge is leaving his position as CTO of ESPN Bet, a sports media company's licensed online sportsbook, to focus on personal reasons related to his family. He will remain at Disney until June, according to a memo.

Disney's streaming services have been developed by LaBerge, who has also integrated advertising into Disney+. Additionally, he has led efforts to unify Hulu and Disney+ within one streaming application, which was recently launched.

LaBerge has been a key player in ESPN's streaming services, including ESPN+, the upcoming sports streaming app, and ESPN's flagship streaming service set to launch in 2025.

Recently, Disney has seen an increase in departures of veteran executives, including former CEO Bob Chapek, head of streaming Kevin Mayer, CFO Christine McCarthy, Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn, general counsel Alan Braverman, communications head Zenia Mucha, and president of Walt Disney Pictures, Sean Bailey.

"ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro and Disney Entertainment co-Chairmen Dana Walden and Alan Bergman expressed gratitude to Aaron for his contributions and leadership at Disney over the past 20 years in an internal note to employees. They noted that it is a positive outcome that he will continue to contribute to Disney and ESPN's success as he transitions to a role at PENN Entertainment, where he will be a key partner in the growth and success of ESPN BET and their Interactive business."

LaBerge has been instrumental in shaping the company's technology-driven vision and strategic leadership, with a focus on leveraging technology to enhance storytelling, innovation, and consumer experiences in the entertainment and sports industries.

An interim replacement for LaBerge has been identified, with Chris Lawson, Disney's executive vice president of content operations, taking over the position on a temporary basis. The transition plan is being kept confidential, and a source close to the matter has requested anonymity.

In the late 1990s, Disney acquired Starwave, a company founded by Paul Allen, which later became fully owned by Disney in 1998.

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