NBA commissioner Adam Silver reportedly is on a short list of candidates to replace Bob Iger as the CEO of Disney.
Disney reportedly has some internal and external candidates in mind for the position.
SCOOP: Media execs say @Disney has unofficial short list of internal/external candidates to replace @RobertIger includes @NBA commish Adam Silver @KevinMayer $DIS Entertainment's Dana Walden. Silver suggests $DIS having second thoughts about ditching @espn 345pm @FoxBusiness
— Charles Gasparino (@CGasparino) March 3, 2023
Silver, whose current contract runs through 2024, has been the NBA’s commissioner since David Stern stepped down in 2014.
Under Silver’s guidance, the NBA has thrived in recent seasons, and the implementation of the play-in tournament has allowed more teams to stay alive in the playoff picture each season while helping to slow the issue of tanking throughout the league.
Silver joined the NBA in 1992, and in 2006, he became chief operating officer and deputy commissioner under Stern.
During his time as the league’s commissioner, Silver navigated through one of the toughest situations in league history with the COVID-19 pandemic pausing the 2019-20 season.
He eventually was able to get the league to start back up in the Orlando, Fla. bubble, a huge win for the league and its fans during such a tough time in the world.
It’s unclear if Silver would be interested in replacing Iger as the CEO of Disney, but it’s clear that his leadership skills have become coveted in the corporate world. He has done an impressive job of climbing the NBA ranks over the years, and now, basketball fans will certainly be keeping a close eye on what his future holds.
Disney, which owns ESPN, has been a major partner with the NBA in broadcasting games. It will be interesting to see how the league proceeds with Silver’s contract being up in the near future and the Disney job potentially on the table for him.
In the meantime, Silver is surely focused on a very important few months for the NBA, as the playoffs and NBA Finals are getting closer with each passing day.
