People walk by a YouTube logo as Google celebrates the 20th anniversary of the first video uploaded to YouTube, at the company’s corporate headquarters in San Bruno, California, on April 23, 2025.
Josh Edelson | AFP | Getty Images
A judge in Los Angeles on Wednesday denied Walt Disney‘s request for a preliminary injunction and a temporary restraining order aimed at preventing long-time executive Justin Connolly from joining Alphabet’s YouTube.
Disney filed a lawsuit against YouTube in a state court in Los Angeles last month to stop the appointment, alleging breach of contract, unfair competition and interference with a contractual relationship.
It sought a preliminary and permanent injunction to halt Connolly’s from further breaching the contract.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Chalfant denied Disney’s request to stop Connolly’s move.
“We are disappointed in today’s ruling, but will continue to pursue our legal remedies,” a Disney spokesperson told Reuters, while YouTube had no comment.
Connolly is set to join YouTube as its global head of media and sports to manage the platform’s relationships with major media companies as well as take charge of the company’s growing live-sports portfolio, Reuters had reported in May.
