Iger’s 2018 Comp Soars

The Walt Disney Co. chairman and CEO Bob Iger received total compensation of $65.6 million in 2018, an 80% increase over the prior year, according to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The bulk of that gain came in the form of stock awards — $35.4 million in 2018 compared to about $9 million in 2017. Iger’s base salary rose 16% to $2.9 million from $2.5 million in the prior year. In addition, he received $18 million in non-equity incentive plan compensation, up from $15.2 million in the prior year.

Related: Iger: Disney Will Run Hulu With Partners in Mind

Other executives also received healthy pay boosts in 2018, including chef financial officer Christine McCarthy (32.6%) to $11.8 million; SVP general counsel and secretary Alan Braverman (24%) to $10.4 million; and chairman, direct to consumer and international Kevin Mayer (38%) to $11.6 million.

Iger (l) and Fox executive chair Rupert Murdoch celebrate their deal

Iger (l) and Fox executive chair Rupert Murdoch celebrate their deal

Disney agreed to purchase certain Fox assets in December 2017 for about $52.4 billion,  but was trumped by a Comcast counter offer for the properties in June. After a one month battle, Disney emerged the victor with an offer for $71.3 billion for the Fox assets, nearly $20 billion more than it had originally bid. That deal is expected to close in the first quarter.