Aaron LaBerge, the Chief Technology Officer for Walt Disney ( NYSE: DIS ) units Disney Entertainment and ESPN, is leaving the company, CNBC reported, citing an internal memo.
LaBerge, who will stay at Disney until June, will join Penn Entertainment ( PENN ), the news outlet reported. In his new role, he’ll help Penn’s technology strategy in its interactive division.
“We want to thank Aaron for the contributions he has made and the leadership he has provided at Disney over his 20 years,” ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro and Disney Entertainment co-Chairmen Dana Walden and Alan Bergman said in the memo seen by the news outlet. “It is a silver lining that he will continue to help Disney and ESPN win, as he transitions to a role at PENN Entertainment — where he will be a key partner in the continued growth and success of ESPN BET (and the rest of their Interactive business).”
Penn operates online sports betting platform ESPN Bet, a joint venture between itself and Disney. LaBerge has been instrumental in getting ESPN’s streaming service, ESPN+, off the ground, as well as its upcoming sports streaming service joint venture with Fox ( FOXA ) and Warner Bros. Discovery ( WBD ). The new service, announced in February, will launch in 2025.
