Chapek, who recently broke his silence since being fired in 2022, shared his perspective on the future of the Disney-owned sports channel.

During the CNBC documentary "ESPN's Fight for Dominance," Chapek stated, "Strategically, I don't really see a benefit in bringing on yet another minority partner into ESPN." He emphasized that, from his point of view, there was no need to add additional minority partners to the channel.

Chapek's comments come after his departure in November 2022, when former CEO Bob Iger returned to lead Disney and subsequently restructured the company, establishing ESPN as a separate segment. Chapek suggested that Disney may be considering selling all or part of ESPN and believed that Iger's decision to split it from other entertainment entities was the initial step in that direction.

"The brand is so central. It is so powerful. It is so beloved by so many sports fans," Chapek acknowledged. However, he also recognized the challenges of transitioning from a cable-based model to a streaming-dominated world. He explained, "the transition from a cable universe over to a streaming world is going to be one that's gonna probably be fraught with challenges."

When asked why he did not sell ESPN during his tenure as CEO, Chapek pointed out that the channel was generating significant revenue for Disney at the time, making it financially unfeasible to sell. He highlighted the debt incurred from Disney's acquisition of Fox, a deal structured under Iger's previous leadership, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated a strategic approach to staunch financial losses.

Contrary to Iger's expressed interest in increasing minority partnerships, Chapek advocated for ESPN to become a central hub for various sporting events. He drew a comparison to Apple TV, envisioning an experience where users could search for a specific game or event and be directed to the streaming service where it is available.

"I always look at the business through a consumer-first lens," Chapek stated. "And as the number of outlets that broadcast sporting events has grown and as the complexity and the schedule of those broadcasts gets more and more spread out, I sometimes think that we have a very suboptimal experience for consumers."

While Chapek and Iger may have differing views on the strategic direction of ESPN, their perspectives shed light on the challenges and opportunities facing broadcasters in the ever-evolving landscape of sports media.