Disney moves to block YouTube from hiring former executive for sports role
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Marvin Samuel Tolentino Pineda
Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) is considering stopping Alphabet’s (NASDAQ:GOOGL) YouTube from appointing long-time executive Justin Connolly to serve as its global head of media and sports.
Disney filed a lawsuit against YouTube in a state court in Los Angeles late Wednesday to stop the appointment, claiming breach of contract, unfair competition, and interference with a contractual relationship.
“In April 2025, Disney became aware of YouTube’s offer of employment to Connolly,” said the suit against the executive and the video platform filed by law firm Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp on May 21.
In the complaint, Disney said Connolly signed a new three-year contract in November 2024 that included a one-time right to terminate in March 2027.
Disney now seeks a preliminary and permanent injunction to prevent Connolly from further breaching the contract.
Connolly, who spent more than 20 years at ESPN and Disney, stepped down earlier this week from his role as head of platform distribution as Disney (NYSE:DIS) prepares to launch its standalone ESPN sports streaming service.