2024-04-29 07:01:31
Disney boss Bob Iger's $33M mansion gets mass renovations amid ESPN layoffs - Democratic Voice USA
Disney boss Bob Iger’s M mansion gets mass renovations amid ESPN layoffs

Disney CEO Bob Iger’s sprawling Los Angeles estate has been undergoing mass renovations amid a slew of shocking layoffs of some of ESPN’s top on-air talent, The Post has learned.

About $7 million in changes have been made, according to calculations by The Post.

Worth an estimated $33 million, the seven-bedroom, nine-bathroom mansion was purchased by Iger and his journalist wife, Willow Bay, back in 1995, records show.

They bought the home for $19.5 million, and it was smaller at the time — only comprising five bedrooms.

Over the years, Iger, 72, has invested millions more into updating and expanding the property, which sits on 2-plus acres of land.

Located in the prestigious Brentwood neighborhood, the main estate occupies more than 7,400 square feet.

The renovations include re-plastering the swimming pool and adding a spa, tearing down an old stable and building a new two-story stable and storage building in its place, development records obtained by The Post show.

The sprawling estate was purchased for nearly $20 million in 2005. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

An aerial shot of Bob Iger’s Los Angeles compound.
An aerial shot of Bob Iger’s Los Angeles compound.
Google Images

Also added were a one-story attached living quarter and a new set of stairs that runs in the back of the home, as well as new gates and a new, two-story media room with storage.

In addition, the property received a detached covered patio, along with expansions of the first and second floors to include a large terrace that spans an additional 940 square feet.

While renovating the longtime estate, Iger and Bay sold off their luxe Fifth Avenue apartment in New York City in 2018 for $18.75 million.

Bob Iger's former New York City co-op sold for $19 million in 2018. aBob Iger’s former New York City co-op sold for $18.75 million in 2018. Courtesy of Stribling

Iger, who made his triumphant return to Disney in November 2022 after briefly handing over the reins in 2020, holds an estimated net worth of about $700 million, according to Forbes.

Described as maintaining a “resort-like setting,” the home’s other features include a two-bedroom guest house and rolling lawns with ocean and city views.

The master suite comes with dual bathrooms, and there is a separate office and gym area.

The Post has reached out to Iger’s representatives for comment.

ESPN laid off some of its biggest stars on Friday in a purge that is expected to include around 20 on-air personalities as the network hopes to save tens of millions of dollars, The Post reported.

This list of dismissed sports commentators and personalities includes Jeff Van Gundy, Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, Suzy Kolber and Jalen Rose.

Bob IgerDisney CEO Bob Iger ordered mass layoffs at ESPN to cut back on millions in spending. Getty Images for Disney

Jalen Rose was let go by ESPN.Jalen Rose was let go by ESPN.NBAE via Getty Images

Also on the list is “NFL Countdown” analyst Matt Hasselbeck, NFL draft expert Todd McShay, college basketball analyst LaPhonso Ellis, “SportsCenter” anchor Ashley Brewer, radio host Jason Fitz, host Jordan Cornette and baseball writer Joon Lee.

Van Gundy is considered one of the best NBA TV game analysts ever, while Johnson signed a big contract just one year ago.

Last week, The Post reported that the network was scrapping its morning radio show that featured Kellerman, Johnson and Jay Williams.

Kellerman makes in the neighborhood of $5 million a year, while Johnson is in the second year of a five-year deal coming in at around $18 million.

Williams has a contract that is up at the end of the summer.

 Jaff Van Gundy, here with Mark Cuban, was laid off by ESPN.Jaff Van Gundy, here with Mark Cuban, was laid off by ESPN.NBAE via Getty Images

The sports network is a conglomerate of Disney and Hearst Communications.

Disney previously had three rounds of layoffs, ordered by Iger, with the goal of eliminating 7,000 jobs. 

“In order to identify additional cost savings, ESPN determined it necessary to turn the cost management focus to public-facing commentator salaries, and that process has begun,” read an un-bylined internal network memo published Friday. “This exercise will include a small group of job cuts in the short-term and an ongoing focus on managing costs when we negotiate individual contract renewals in the months ahead.

“It’s important for you to know that these are difficult decisions, involving individuals who have had tremendous impact on our company,” the statement continued. “They are based more on overall efficiency than merit, and we believe they will help us meet our financial targets and ensure future growth. Out of respect to all involved, we don’t plan on releasing a complete list of names.”

Source link: https://nypost.com/2023/06/30/disney-boss-bob-igers-33m-mansion-gets-mass-renovations-amid-espn-layoffs/

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