James Pitaro

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James Pitaro is an American media executive and attorney. On March 5, 2018, The Walt Disney Company announced he would become president of ESPN Inc. [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Pitaro graduated in 1987 from Edgemont High School in Scarsdale, New York. [2] In 1991, Pitaro graduated from Cornell's College of Human Ecology with a Bachelor of Science degree in Consumer Economics And Housing. He was a player on the Cornell Big Red football team. Pitaro earned his Juris Doctor from St. John's University Law School in 1994.

Career

He previously worked for Yahoo's Media division, Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker and Disney Interactive. [3]

On October 12, 2020, he was named Chairman, ESPN and Sports Content.

In February 2023 he was named Chairman, ESPN. [4]

Pitaro uses the principle of ‘Discuss. Debate. Decide. Align.’ in leading his teams. [5]

Personal life

Since 1997, he has been married to actress Jean Louisa Kelly.

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References

  1. "Disney exec Pitaro named new ESPN president". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  2. "EDGEMONT SCHOOL FOUNDATION Alumni Newsletter" (PDF).
  3. James Pitaro '91 Named President of Sports Media Giant ESPN By Raphy Gendler and Zachary Silver for The Cornell Daily Sun
  4. "James Pitaro". The Walt Disney Company.
  5. "After 6 years leading ESPN, Pitaro may be on deck to succeed Disney CEO; he's also trying to reshape the Bristol-based sports media company". Hartford Business Journal.