James Pitaro

James Pitaro
Born	(1969-08-02) August 2, 1969 (age 56) Westchester County, New York, U.S.
Other names	Jimmy Pitaro
Alma mater	Cornell University (B.S.) St. John's University School of Law (J.D.)
Occupations	Attorney, media executive and former football player
Employer	The Walt Disney Company via ESPN Inc. including ABC (2018–present)
Title	Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks President, ESPN, Inc.
Spouse	Jean Louisa Kelly ​ (m. 1997)​
Children	2

James Pitaro (born August 2, 1969; also known as Jimmy Pitaro^[1][2]) is an American attorney, media executive and former football player.

On March 5, 2018, the Walt Disney Company announced that he would become president of ESPN Inc. including ABC.^[3]

Early life and education

Pitaro graduated in 1987 from Edgemont Junior – Senior High School in Edgemont, New York.^[4]

In 1991, he graduated from Cornell's College of Human Ecology in Ithaca, New York, with a Bachelor of Science degree in consumer economics and housing. He was a Cornell Big Red football player.

In 1994, he earned his Juris Doctor from St. John's University Law School in Jamaica, Queens.

Career

He previously worked for Yahoo's media division, Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker in New York and Disney Interactive in Glendale, California.^[5]

On October 12, 2020, he was named chairman of ESPN Sports Content.

On February 9, 2023, he was named chairman of ESPN.^[6] Pitaro uses the principle of "Discuss. Debate. Decide. Align." in guiding the teams of employers he leads.^[7]

Personal life

He and actress Jean Louisa Kelly have been married since May 24, 1997^[8] and they have two children.^[9]

References

1. "Graduation ceremony speakers feature ESPN's Pitaro, sports execs". Sports Business Journal. May 19, 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
2. Weprin, Alex (March 1, 2023). "Jimmy Pitaro Sets ESPN Exec Team: Burke Magnus to Oversee Content, Rosalyn Durant Joins to Lead Rights Talks". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
3. "Disney exec Pitaro named new ESPN president". ESPN. March 5, 2018. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
4. "Edgemont School Foundation Alumni Newsletter" (PDF). Edgemont Junior – Senior High School. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
5. Gendler, Raphy; Silver, Zachary (March 5, 2018). "James Pitaro '91 Named President of Sports Media Giant ESPN". The Cornell Daily Sun. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
6. "James Pitaro". The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
7. Krechevsky, David (September 16, 2024). "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. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
8. Kenyon, Sandy (January 20, 2023). "Actress Jean Louisa Kelly appearing in special show in New York City". KABC-TV. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
9. Laura (July 8, 2006). "Actress Jean Louisa Kelly gives birth to second child – a daughter". People. Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2025.