What to do about Michael?

This NY Times article and this Wall Street Journal ($) article describe the problems that The Walt Disney Co. board faces in dealing with the shareholder revolt against Chairman and CEO Michael D. Eisner. Although replacing Mr. Eisner would normally be an option after such a prolonged stretch of mediocre business performance, the recent lowball Comcast takeover bid for Disney is apparently helping Mr. Eisner among Disney board members, who are relunctant to make a change at the top in the face of such a bid. The board’s failure to have Disney management develop a succession strategy for replacing Mr. Eisner is highlighted by the awkward situation in which Disney currently finds itself.

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