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Disney has taken legal action against YouTube and one of its former top executives, Justin Connolly. The lawsuit comes after YouTube hired Connolly as its new global head of media and sports, per Variety. Connolly had worked at Disney and ESPN for more than two decades and held several senior roles.
His latest position was president of Disney Platform Distribution. In that role, he managed distribution planning, affiliate marketing, and content sales. He also played a key role in developing Disney’s platforms such as Disney+ and its cable channels.
Disney is trying to block Connolly from taking the job at YouTube, claiming that the move violates the terms of his contract. The situation is seen as important because Disney is preparing to launch a new ESPN streaming service, and is also working on renewing distribution deals, including with YouTube TV.
Why is Disney suing YouTube and Justin Connolly?
As reported by CNBC on May 23, 2025, Disney filed the lawsuit in a Los Angeles state court. The company says Connolly signed a new three-year employment contract in November 2024, which required him to stay with Disney until at least March 1, 2027. It included only one special condition under which he could leave early.
Disney believes Connolly did not follow the rules of his contract when he accepted the job at YouTube. The company says YouTube knew about Connolly’s contract with Disney, but still chose to move forward with the hire. This led Disney to accuse YouTube of interfering with a legal agreement and practicing unfair competition.
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Disney has asked the court to stop Connolly from working at YouTube. They have sought temporary and permanent court orders to prevent the new job move and any future contract violations. Neither YouTube nor Connolly has made public comments about the case so far.
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Who is Justin Connolly and why is his hiring important?
As reported by Variety, Connolly has a long history with Disney and ESPN. He worked at the company for more than 20 years and played a major role in how Disney’s content was sold and distributed. He was involved in both traditional TV networks and streaming services.
His leadership at Disney Platform Distribution gave him deep knowledge of the company’s business strategy. This includes ESPN’s upcoming streaming launch and current negotiations with partners like YouTube TV. Disney says this makes Connolly’s move to YouTube a threat to their business interests.
As reported by Deadline, the company believes YouTube will benefit unfairly from the information Connolly has. This includes future plans, pricing strategies, and contract details that could impact Disney’s place in the market.
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How does this affect Disney’s current plans?
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Disney is preparing to launch a direct-to-consumer ESPN streaming service. This project is seen as one of the company’s biggest moves in the sports content space. Disney is also in the middle of renegotiating distribution deals with several partners.
One of those partners is YouTube TV, which carries ESPN and other Disney networks. Disney says the hiring of Connolly could give YouTube an upper hand in these talks. This is especially important as both companies compete for viewership and advertising dollars.
Disney is concerned that the situation may disrupt its business planning. The lawsuit shows how important key staff can be when companies try to keep their competitive edge. It also highlights the growing tension between established media firms and digital platforms like YouTube.
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The legal dispute between Disney and YouTube over Justin Connolly’s hiring shows how complex job moves can be at the executive level. Disney claims its contract with Connolly was ignored, and it is now using the courts to try to enforce its terms.
YouTube has not yet responded publicly, but the case could affect ongoing deals between the two companies. With big plans ahead for ESPN and Disney’s streaming platforms, the outcome of this case may impact how media companies handle talent moves in the future.
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