Zucker has had no direct conversations with Disney CEO Robert Iger, who is working with acting ESPN chairman George Bodenheimer to identify a successor. He reportedly signed a lengthy contract extension with CNN last year.
At ESPN, the abrupt resignation of John Skipper several days before Christmas sent shock waves through the Bristol-based network. George Bodenheimer, ESPN's president from 1998 to 2011 and its executive chairman until May 2014, has been acting chairman, and is expected to remain for 90 days.