Disney’s boardroom drama

Although 2002 was a difficult year for most organizations, Disney Corporation has had it tougher than most. Share prices plummeted, films flopped (its updated version of Treasure Island was a box‐office disaster in the US) and the ability of Chairman and CEO Michael D. Eisner was seriously questioned. But it is the drama behind the scenes that is keeping corporate America enthralled at present. Although Disney directors are notorious in their unanimous silence as far as the media is concerned, one insider described the unrest between some board members as “a civilized war”. And not only is there tension within the corporation, but shareholder relations are also far from picture perfect.