The power players at Disney who could succeed Bob Iger as CEO

Disney chairman of theme parks Bob Chapek, 57, added Disney's consumer products line to his purview last week. As with Mayer, Chapek's promotion has outlets highlighting him as a potential successor to Iger.

Chapek has worked at Disney for 24 years, in leadership roles that ranged from film distribution to home-video entertainment. He also previously served as president of Disney's consumer products line, which he now oversees as chairman.

Chapek has earned praise for delivering "steady returns" in heading the company's theme parks division since February 2015. He oversaw the opening of the Shanghai Disneyland park in 2016, which Disney has said is on track to be the most profitable Disney park globally.

Disney also noted in its year-end fiscal report last year that Chapek's parks division was among the only four major Disney divisions that posted an increase in sales and profit.

In a statement announcing Chapek's promotion on Wednesday, Bob Iger called Chapek the "perfect leader" to run the combined parks and products team, given his "impressive record of success at both."

Disney recently named company executive James Pitaro as the new president of ESPN and cochair of Disney Media Networks, reporting directly to Bob Iger.

Pitaro had previously chaired Disney's consumer products and interactive media divisions since 2016. He was also formerly a vice president and head of Yahoo! Media.

Sources told the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday that Pitaro is also in consideration to replace Bob Iger as CEO, but that he is considered a "longer shot" than both Mayer and Chapek.

Pitaro joined ESPN, a top asset for Disney, as cord-cutting has significantly narrowed the sports-media company's subscriber base. But Iger sees him as the right person to lead ESPN as the company adapts to the digital world.

"Jimmy forged his career at the intersection of technology, sports and media, and his vast experience and keen perspective will be invaluable in taking ESPN into the future," Iger said in a statement announcing Pitaro's new role.

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg also praised Pitaro's promotion, saying that her late husband Dave Goldberg called Pitaro "one of the strongest strategists and managers he knew."