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Disney Veteran CTO is Leaving to Join PENN Entertainment

Disney and ESPN president and CTO Aaron LaBerge will be leaving his post in June 2024 to join PENN Entertainment. By Ching Wai.

US - The Disney Entertainment and ESPN chief technology officer (CTO) will leave around June this year to join PENN Entertainment, which operates entertainment, sports content and casino gambling.

Aaron LaBerge’s new responsibilities include driving PENN’s technology strategy and execution, as well as leading the team of technologists and serving as the key business leader for the company’s Interactive division. LaBerge will report to chief executive officer and president Jay Snowden there.

Laberge had spent more than two decades at Disney first as executive vice president (VP) and CTO at ESPN, then as president and CTO for Disney Entertainment and ESPN. At ESPN, the previous executive VP and CTO led the growth of the company’s consumer-facing digital media products and services. As president and CTO at Disney Entertainment and ESPN, Laberge helmed all technology and product development in support of The Walt Disney Company’s two media divisions.

Laberge was also involved in Hulu’s merger with Disney+ in the U.S. and the launch of Penn Entertainment-owned sports betting outfit ESPN Bet through a US$1.5 billion 10-year licensing deal with the sports broadcaster.

In a departure memo shared with The Walt Disney Company staff, Laberge said, “This was a personal decision, driven by the needs of my family. …I’ll be here until the end of June to help ensure a seamless handoff that positions everyone for continued success. … Chris Lawson will be working closely with me in the coming months, stepping into an interim leadership role upon my departure until a permanent leader is in place. Many of you know Chris as an exceptional technology leader with a deep understanding of our operations and businesses. He has been instrumental in our technology transformation and is a trusted partner to our business leaders.”

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