Disney CEO Bob Iger Received a 50-Year Service Award Even Though He Didn’t Serve For 50 Years

Bob Iger recently posted that he received a 50-year service award from the Walt Disney Company. This is raising some eyebrows as the “years of service” to Disney weren’t necessarily years worked for Disney.

The special award is given to Disney employees who have been with the Walt Disney Company for 50 years. It is a bronze statuette featuring Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and reading, “Recognizing 50 magical years with the Walt Disney Company.”

Iger posted the award on Instagram where he only has one post and the award is it.

He even uses the post to reference his book title, “The Ride of a Lifetime,” in the final sentence.

“I started my career at ABC 50 years ago today and the business has certainly changed a lot since then! But at the end of the day, success still hinges on one thing: great storytelling. I’m proud to work alongside so many talented colleagues who create exceptional stories and experiences for the world to enjoy… truly the ride of a lifetime!”

How does he have “50 years of service,” then?

Short answer. He really doesn’t.

Disney is counting his years of working at ABC. However, the Walt Disney Company didn’t purchase ABC until 1995-1996. Iger started working at ABC in 1974. So Disney is counting his years at ABC as “service to Disney,” which isn’t exactly true.

Besides that, he left the company at the end of 2021 and didn’t return until late 2022. So he shouldn’t even be eligible until 2025 for the award anyway.

Either way, he got the award.