Disney has filed a lawsuit against YouTube, aiming to block the appointment of Justin Connolly as the platform’s new global head of media and sports. The lawsuit was filed late Wednesday in a Los Angeles state court and accuses YouTube of breach of contract, unfair competition, and interfering with an existing employment agreement.
At the heart of the legal battle is a binding contract. Disney claims Connolly, who spent over 20 years at ESPN, agreed to stay on through March 1, 2027, under a deal signed just last November. That agreement, the lawsuit argues, gave him only one chance to exit early—an option Disney says he didn’t exercise.
But YouTube moved fast. On Thursday, the company announced Connolly’s appointment, placing him in charge of its expanding portfolio of media partnerships and live sports content. According to insiders, he’ll also steer YouTube’s relationships with major media companies—a role Disney views as a direct conflict with his still-active contract.
Now, Disney wants to slam the brakes. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles state court, accuses YouTube of breach of contract, unfair competition, and interfering with a contractual relationship. The company is pushing for both a preliminary and permanent injunction to keep Connolly from starting the new role.
The move comes as Disney gears up to launch its long-anticipated ESPN sports streaming service—a project where Connolly played a key role. His departure to a rival platform could disrupt internal strategy and shift the competitive landscape.
Meanwhile, YouTube’s play for live sports has grown increasingly aggressive. The company locked in a massive $14 billion deal with the NFL in 2022, giving it exclusive streaming rights for top-tier football games. It has also expanded into live TV, music, and podcasts, drawing billions in ad revenue annually.
Neither YouTube nor Connolly has commented publicly on the legal dispute.
As platforms like YouTube, Amazon, and Netflix double down on sports content, executive talent is becoming a new battleground. This lawsuit could set a precedent for how future transitions between media giants are handled.
One thing is clear: Disney isn’t letting go of its top talent without a fight.
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