Corporate poaching never goes over well with Disney & even less so when they lose a key exec like Justin Connolly to the likes of the ever dominating YouTube

In response, Disney is suing YouTube and Connolly, sources briefed on the situation told The Athletic. Connolly was under contract to Disney and was at ESPN’s launch last week of its much-anticipated direct-to-consumer product that is due to begin in the fall. Connolly had been with Disney/ESPN for more than two decades.

After more than two decades at Disney and ESPN, Justin Connolly has departed the Magic Kingdom to join YouTube in a newly created role as global head of media and sports, Variety has confirmed. Connolly most recently was president of Disney Platform Distribution,