Bob Iger’s Pay Cut

by Ray Keating

Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

January 22, 2020

It was reported last week that Disney CEO Bob Iger took a pay cut in the fiscal year that ended this past September. Of course, Bob will muddle through. Iger’s compensation package declined from $65.6 million in 2018 to $43.9 million in 2019.

So, was the Board disgusted with Iger’s performance? Hardly.

Iger’s 2018 compensation was given a big boost due to an incentive plan for him pushing off retirement and staying at the helm of the Walt Disney Company.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Iger had earned $43.9 million in 2016 and $36.3 million in 2017.

Since becoming CEO in 2005, Iger has led Disney during a period of incredible growth on all fronts, including IP acquisitions, theme park expansion, successful films, launching online streaming, and substantial stock price growth.

Iger remains on schedule to retire at the end of 2021. Whoever his successor might be – and at this point, we’re betting on Kevin Mayer, who currently heads up Disney’s direct-to-consumer and international division – that person will have big shoes to fill. Though at least starting out, Disney might be able to save a bit on CEO compensation.

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of The Disney Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution and the Pastor Stephen Grant novels. He can be contacted at  raykeating@keatingreports.com.