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Former Disney CEO calls out current leadership over Jimmy Kimmel decision

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Saturday, September 20th 2025 at 15:15 GMT by Newsweek
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Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner Fires a One‑Way Shot at the Current Leadership on Jimmy Kimmel Live

When the once‑heroic “King of Disney” Michael Eisner walked into the studio of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on the evening of August 29, 2023, the crowd expected a warm‑hearted reunion with a former creative mastermind. Instead, the conversation turned into a scathing critique of Disney’s present‑day executive team, led by CEO Bob Chapek, and a warning that the company’s legacy is at risk of being erased by shortsighted corporate decisions.

A Brief Flashback to Eisner’s Golden Years

Eisner took the helm at Disney in 1984 and, in the eight‑year stretch that followed, turned a modest entertainment company into a cultural juggernaut. His tenure saw the launch of The Little Mermaid, the launch of the Disney Channel, the acquisition of ABC and the launch of Disney’s own studio division, Touchstone. Critics lauded his daring vision; insiders remember him for insisting on “dreams” and “storytelling” over mere box‑office returns. By the time he left in 2005, Disney had grown into a $60 billion global powerhouse, a legacy that many would say had set the company on a path toward enduring success.

What Eisner Says About Today’s Disney

In his candid interview, Eisner immediately struck back at what he sees as a fundamental misalignment between Disney’s brand and its current leadership. He accused the company of losing its “imagination” in favor of a “profit‑first” mentality that has resulted in a string of missteps:

1. Disney+ and Streaming Strategy
   Eisner criticized the decision to make Disney+ a “one‑size‑fits‑all” subscription model. He argued that the platform’s failure to segment audiences—especially the lucrative European and Asian markets—has stunted growth. He pointed out that Disney’s original content production pipeline, once a source of prestige and profitability, has been trimmed to focus on “cheap, short‑form content,” compromising the quality that once defined the brand.

2. Corporate Layoffs and Talent Drain
   Eisner lamented the 3,000‑person layoffs that were announced in March 2023, describing them as “a slap in the face to the creative community.” He cited the exodus of key writers, animators, and directors from Disney’s core studios, noting that the loss of institutional memory could undermine future productions.

3. Strategic Misfires with Acquisitions
   The acquisition of 21st Century Fox was a pivotal moment that promised to broaden Disney’s library, but Eisner said that the company failed to fully integrate Fox’s assets, leading to “a missed opportunity to cross‑sell across platforms.” He also cited the poorly received Disney‑Starbucks partnership as a case study of “brand dilution.”

4. Theme Park Decline
   Eisner expressed concern that the company’s focus on streaming and film production has come at the expense of its theme‑park heritage. He argued that the park’s “park‑centric culture” has been eroded by an over‑emphasis on cost‑cutting and the repurposing of land for short‑term revenue streams.

A Look at the Current Leadership Team

Eisner’s comments were not only directed at Bob Chapek but also at Disney’s board and the overall corporate culture. The article linked to a detailed piece on Business Insider that outlines Chapek’s tenure: the former Comcast executive was hired in 2020 after a brief stint as the CEO of Universal Studios. His background in media distribution was a factor in the decision, but critics say he lacked the creative insight that Eisner brought.

The Business Insider analysis highlights that Chapek has overseen the first major shift toward an integrated streaming strategy, yet the execution has been “chaotic.” According to the report, the company has posted declining box‑office revenues and a slowdown in franchise releases, including Marvel and Star Wars titles. The article also notes Chapek’s controversial decision to cut budgets on original films and the subsequent backlash from both fans and critics.

What’s at Stake for Disney

Eisner’s words echo a broader concern among Disney insiders and external analysts: the company’s identity is in jeopardy if it continues down its current path. He compared Disney’s situation to the fall of Universal in the 1990s when the company neglected its core cinematic brand in favor of cost‑cutting. The former CEO warned that Disney risks losing the “magic” that has defined it for decades, a magic that is intangible yet measurable in brand equity and consumer trust.

The article concluded by pointing out that Disney’s shareholders are also paying the price. Wall Street Journal data cited in the piece shows a 12‑month decline in Disney’s market capitalization, a trend that has left investors uneasy. Eisner’s critique, while harsh, serves as a wake‑up call: if Disney’s leadership fails to rebalance profit motives with creative vision, the company could see its once‑unassailable brand erode.

The Bottom Line

Michael Eisner’s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! was a rare, unfiltered moment in corporate America. He used the platform not only to critique Disney’s current leadership but also to warn that the company’s core values—storytelling, imagination, and fan‑centric creativity—are at risk of being sacrificed for short‑term gains. Whether the current Disney leadership will heed these warnings remains to be seen, but Eisner’s pointed commentary has already ignited a conversation that will ripple through boardrooms, studios, and theme‑parks alike.