Some serious allegations are being made, but one voice inside The Walt Disney Company is defending the “broken culture.”
Disney, a global entertainment giant, has cultivated a vast and diverse portfolio that encompasses a multitude of companies and properties.
Since its founding in 1923 by Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney, the company has grown from a small animation studio into a behemoth that dominates the entertainment industry. Over the decades, Disney has acquired and developed various segments, from film studios and television networks to theme parks and merchandise lines, solidifying its position as a powerhouse in the entertainment world.
Disney’s strategic acquisitions of Marvel Entertainment in 2009 and Lucasfilm in 2012 brought the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Star Wars franchise under its umbrella, generating billions in revenue and expanding its influence across multiple generations of fans.
In addition to its film studios, Disney owns a substantial television empire. The company’s media networks include the ABC Television Network, Disney Channel, and Freeform, catering to a wide range of audiences with diverse programming.
The acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019 further bolstered Disney’s television holdings, adding National Geographic and FX Networks to its lineup. These channels, along with Disney’s original content for streaming services like Disney+, have made the company a dominant force in the television industry.
Beyond film and television, Disney’s theme parks and resorts are another significant component of its empire. Disneyland, the first-ever theme park opened in 1955, set the standard for immersive entertainment experiences.
Since then, Disney has expanded its parks and resorts globally, with locations in Florida, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. These parks attract millions of visitors annually, offering a unique blend of attractions, shows, and character interactions that bring Disney’s stories to life.
Disney Voice Defends “Broken Culture” Allegations
Among Disney’s extensive array of assets, ESPN stands out as a prominent and influential property. Acquired by Disney in 1996, ESPN is the leading sports network in the United States, reaching millions of households with its comprehensive coverage of various sports events, news, and analysis.
Known as the “Worldwide Leader in Sports,” ESPN has become a household name synonymous with high-quality sports broadcasting.
ESPN’s programming includes live coverage of major sporting events, such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, and college football, along with popular talk shows and analysis programs. One of the standout programs on Disney’s family of broadcasters is The Paul Finebaum Show, which takes place every weekday on the SEC Network.
For years, Finebaum has held the banner as the “voice of the SEC.” The Southeastern Conference, which has a television deal with ESPN, earned more than $852.6 million during the 2023 fiscal year, most of which came from college football.
As we get closer to the upcoming season, though, there are troubling reports surfacing surrounding one of the SEC’s top programs: The Georgia Bulldogs.
On the field, Georgia has been one of the most successful programs in the last half-decade. Led by Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs have won two National Championships — in 2021 and 2022 — and they enter the 2024 season as one of the favorites to win yet again. Off the field, things have been a different story.
Since a tragic traffic death in January of 2023, Georgia has had at least 29 players arrested or cited for incidents related to reckless driving, racing, or speeding.
In addition, star running back Trevor Etienne was arrested on multiple charges, including DUI. He later pleaded no contest to a reckless driving charge and guilty to underage possession of alcohol, failure to maintain lane, and a window tint violation and had his DUI charges dropped.
Then, last week, starting wide receiver Rara Thomas was arrested on multiple charges, including cruelty to children-family violence. He was dismissed by Georgia coach Kirby Smart this week.
Many have called out the “culture” in Georgia, but Paul Finebaum recently shared that he does not believe there is a culture problem.
“I had a caller earlier today that was harping on the latest arrest in Athens and I maintain, because I lean on people like you [Reed] for guidance, that there is not a culture problem at the University of Georgia,” Finebaum said.
247 Sports’ Carl Reed Jr. agreed with that assertion.
“Kirby Smart does not have a culture problem,” Reed said. “Kirby Smart is a diciplinary and Kirby Smart is a strong leader. Kirby Smart is a good man and he has been for a very long time…When you have football players that you’re giving a lot of money to, they have a lot of toys and have a lot of resources. This is one of the unintended consequences of paying players.”
Though Finebaum and other voices have defended the culture at Georgia, that hasn’t stopped others from outside of the program from calling out Kirby Smart and the problems that have developed within the football program.
“Georgia football is out of control, and Kirby Smart has failed to get a handle on the disciplinary issues mounting in his program,” The Tennessean wrote.
The Paul Finebaum Show takes place on the SEC Network from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. every weekday.
