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 over two decades at Disney, platform distribution president Justin Connolly has exited the entertainment giant to join YouTube as its global head of media and sports, an individual familiar with the matter confirmed to TheWrap.